[WVDXA] BS7 Press Release #11

[W8OI at aol.com]

I guess we shouldn't complain.
 
Garry, W8OI
 

An update from James Brooks received at 0300 local our time this  morning
where he attempted to provide us insight on the overall situation and  ended
it with:  "It's just that hard"   

It is now day  3 on Scarborough with operations going for 48 hours.

All 4 operating  positions are built and the team has gone from survival in
route, to survival  while building, to survival while in QSO mode.

Everyone on the team has  cuts from the coral.  The closest access to any of
the rocks is over  coral and no one has been spared coral scrapes and cuts.
Add to that over 100  degree heat and sunburn and you have a dangerous
environment for  all.

During the day each shift is 6 hours in heat and a dry wind under a  small
umbrella.  If you are lucky enough you get to operate at  night.  You are
left on a rock for 13 hours barely 4 feet above the  water in pitch black
sitting in a folding chair, no where to walk and stretch  and getting a
constant salt spray.  You can't see the other rocks nor  the ship and if
something goes wrong there is no chance of rescue.

The  SteppIR verticals and one Yagi are up.  Two stations will stay on  20
mtrs while the other two will search 15, 17, 30 and 40 for  openings.

So as you sit there in your comfy shack complaining on the  cluster and
sending us emails about your lack of a QSO and the do's and  don'ts'', think
what our team is going through to bring you "the chance of a  QSO". 

Here is just a sampling of our fan mail received  today:

"fIVE YEARS PLAnning you did a %&*@# job we cant hear you on  the east coast
you shoud have gotton info from n8s they did a great job at  least you heard
them you guys keep working ja's and w6's thats all your going  to get the
east coast i guess is off limmits you wount get any donation from  me or any
one else on the east coast you guys are the worst go to 11 meters  you might
have better lush"

GL and we wish you the best in the  upcoming days.

N4XP and N1DG for the team on Scarborough  Reef




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