Oribi to Petit via Newcastle, the conclusion, at last !

[Rudix]

Quick question John, are you still active on Ham

Hi Rudi,

Sitrep is very grave. Taken down my TH3. My 5-Band dipole has fallen down. Hadeda’s have bent by 6M Yagi. My G5RV is hanging off a palm tree. My 4 HF rigs have not been switched on for some 3 years. Same for my 8 or so 2M rigs. My CW paddles are covered in dust.

Must really find a weekend and fire things up.

So, no sorry, can’t QSO on 40M to ZS6 land at this stage. Packet radio become a little antiquated for me and I haven’t done much on 70cms yet.

73’s de John ZS5WG

Yes, John, have not been active for a while as well. My last big activity was CQ WW/WPX CW in 2003, I love contests, closed of on a high note that year ! My antennas are also mostly down but going up one by one ! The new equipment in the shack is an insperation. Now we just need the sunspots to return ! I used to do quite a bit of 6m DX, got 105 countries on 6 if I remember correctly, and 325 or so on HF.

Anyway, sure we will have a QSO sometime. I am installing a HF/VHF/UHF radio in the Shadow and the Pietenpol later ! A FT-817N or maybe a FT-857, will see, a longwire or dipole to the tail and a tuner and there we go, ZS6DX/aa :D

73, Rudi de ZS6DX

[John Young]

Hi Rudi,

Ja, I thought of 2M in the trike – could hit all repeaters no problem.

Oh, I forgot to mention that my 40M twin element beam with coaxial transformer has also fallen down. Serious antenna – push through 1 Gallon in CW at JA land and the response is like a million budgies – very hard to work CW through that pile-up. Got a serious CW filter to assist.

Contests – have never really taken part – was just prepared to hand out a few points as I went through the bands. I do enjoy the Parade Ground on 7,011 MHz.

On the other note – the "lowest" destination of sailing – well, in my opinion, Mozambique wins hands-down. Spent some time on the islands – was OK. Then serious battle against NE for days – consulted African Pilot – saw Porte De Chinde [northern most tributary of the Zambezi Delta] has buoyage, port captain etc. Went in over the bar with zero clearance.

Was first private vessel there in 13 years because of the war. They refused 24-hour port in a storm, took away my passport and made me a diplomatic hostage for 3 weeks. Had to feed myself with rations from the yacht. Everywhere I walked or went, I had an AK47 stuck up my ar#e!!

Ja Boet – Mozambique, never again !!

Oh, my call when I sailed was FH2WG [question mark] – was a pirate then.

Regards

[Rudix]

Ok, to end this saga with a few photos, here is ZU-AVB at her new home.

In front of her new house:



Looking out over the dry late winter landscape:



Lots of space !



Happy flying,
Rudi

[emil]

hi Rudi ..hope you are well

how is the flying going ..got your MPL yet....

are you planning in your PPL next to fly thre KR and pietenpol

[Big-D]

Awesome Airy Rudi :D

The hanger looks awefully familiar, I remember you now. I used to have AZU in that hanger and then moved when you came to Petit. If memory serves me correct I was promised I spin in your fine aircraft. Hope to take you up on that offer soon followed by a breakfast at Que Sera on me.

Happy landings

D

[emil]

hello Rudi.

hoop alles gaan goed...jy het ons ophou update oor jou aerie en jou training..

hoe gaan dinge jy al klaar vlieg jy al die shadow...wanneer kom kuier jy met hom dat ons hom kan sien

[emil]

no one said microlights can't fly that far... i
Yes, you KNOW guys who have flown around the world, but what is YOUR longest distance flight And I am not talking about fetching your Pitts in the USA

mmmmm from Fisantekraal Cape town to Rhino.,....700 odd nm