VY1VY

The callsign VY1VY was first activated in August of 2001 and has been active till November 2001. Most contacts were made from the city of Whitehorse, Yukon Territory at the QTH of the local contest station VY1DX. Most of the pictures below were taken while Peter Malacarne using the callsign VY1VY, made a road trip to Inuvik, Northwest Territories, on the Dempster Highway. Inuvik NWT is located about 100 km from the Arctic Ocean. More pictures should be posted by April of 2002.

Hello, I am Peter Malacarne, VY1VY operating from the contest station VY1DX located in Whitehorse YT. The station is equiped to operate on 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10 & 6 meter bands. I took full advantage of the extensive antenna system and worked all the bands.

In mid October I took a trip on the Dempster Highway. The Dempster is a well maintained gravel highway. Weather conditions found on the highway change rapidly and without warning. My Toyata DXmobile was equiped with Hustler mobile whips for the 40, 20 and 10 meters bands, a 2 meter fiberglass whip and a 108 inch whip used on 10, 12 and 15 meters. The rigs used were a Kenwood TS-850 and a Yaseu 2500M VHF. Yes, I had sleeping accomedations in the back.

Temperature -10C in mid October.

At the Arctice Circle with my Toyota DX mobile. I lost my 20 meter resonator a few days before but was able to cobble a 20 meter "make do" antenna and worked a few on 20 meters from the Actic Circle.

The above photo and the one below are of weather moving down the mountains onto the valley floor. The stormy conditions brought strong winds and blowing snow.

I estimated the height of the storm to be about 1000 meters from the valley floor to the top of the storm.

Waiting for the Mackenzie River ferry. There are two ferry crossing on the Dempster Highway. While waiting for the ferries I operated as VY1VY/VE8 to pass the time. The flag in the window is the Voyage of Rediscovery Flag from a previous DXpediton.

The wheelhouse of the Mackenzie River ferry.

The last tourist of the season getting ready to dissembark.

VE8SMF, Stuart, my benifactor, he generously housed and fed me for a couple of days in Inuvik, NWT. The night time termperatures were hovering in the -15C range.

VE8SMF is currently operating at Inuvik, Northwest Territories, Canada (Zone 1). Inuvik is located just South of the Arctic Ocean (Beaufort Sea). Station equipment is a Kenwood TS-120S and a G5RV antenna.

Thanks to VY1MB, VE7CYY and VE7KW for keeping a watch on 40 meters while I was travelling and to VE8SMF for the hospitality given to me while I was in Inuvik.

page updated December 2001