From: Johan Swienink
Sent: Saturday, May 24, 2014 1:59 AM
Subject: [Moon-Net] Update Z3/PA3FPQ expedition to Macedonia


Hello all,


After our unexpected end from our previous moonpass because of pa failure we were back friday 23 may from KN11
with our spare PA.


Due to the drift we had on 144MHz we changed transceiver.  FT857 made strange frequency hop at the beginning of 
every tx/rx period. Now the FT847 is used for 144 and the 857 for 50 EME. So we started a little late this moonpass.


Total on 144 is 127 EME qso's and another 3 were made on 50 for a total of 6 there.


Our stay in the clubstation Z37M is very comfortable and our host Z35Z is taking care of us very well. Today we had 
very nice Kebab with tomato and bread and for drink local beer. As desert there came pancakes delivered and prepared 
by the xyl of Dime Z35Z. She offered to make a lunch for tomorrow with, well you could not guess it, fish, onions 
and rice. We hardly could tell her that we want the recipe of it because our friend Rene PE1L  is very addicted to it. 
Every two weeks we do have a technical evening together which starts with homemade dinner so we would like to surprise  
him.


After the food as usual sporadic E started on 6meters and later  2meter opened also. During this opening we heard a 
big bang outside next to the airport where we stay.
Chris ran outside and saw a couple of men looking into the ground. He walked to them and saw a broken RC model 
airplane in 25 pieces.... Oops.


In a quick view he saw on the back of the RC controller that it uses a frequency in the 40MHz range. Checking out 
the antenna position we could imagine what caused the crash. As smart as Chris can be he did not tell pilot Alfonzo 
about our frequency range. 


While walking back to the car to drop all the pieces Chris told the man that we are addicted to a hobby as well and 
can imagine what such a loss can be. We lost a amplifier yesterday.... We invited the man to the clubhouse for a beer 
and a local brewed schnapps. The man left very happy and could not walk straight to his car :-)


Today 24 may we start on moonrise for VK, ZL and JA stations.
During this moonpass we check Livemuf frequently for ES opening and also for a predicted MS shower. We will let you 
know when we stop on the moon when internet is there.


We are also qrv on six and are available on ON4KST EME chat.

We will upload some pictures see pa3fpq.nl/z3 also for log and sponsorlist.

See you at N0UK and GL to all.

73 from the team,

Chris PA2CHR, Jurgen PE1LWT and Johan PA3FPQ