Amateur Radio Technology in Action

Talking to the world from Marion Island

In this monthly feature Hans van de Groenendaal ZS6AKV, executive chairman of the South African Amateur Radio Development Trust (SAARDT) looks at various technologies and activities that drive amateur radio. SAARDT is dedicated to the development of amateur radio in South Africa with a special interest in the youth. The organisation is funded from donations and supports the South African Radio League and SA AMSAT.

In the days of crystal sets and one and two him a highly-prized addition on expeditions to the world, or should I rather say, the world was value radios, way back in the early 1900s, remote places. calling me! the term “listening to DX radio stations” was A few months before Kritzinger joined a DXpeditions are big “business”. This time a large commonplace. A radio station on the other Norwegian expedition to Bouvet Island his friends group of amateurs from around the world have side of the country was concidered a distant suggested that he take up amateur radio as it worked together to ensure that the best possible radio station or DX. The term was even used in would enable him to speak to his friends at home. antennas and equipment are made available. later years, with reference to car radios where a “Not a bad idea”, he agreed. He was licensed A website, http://zs8t.net has been set up to DX button would switch in a pre-amplifier if one in November last year, a few days before his wanted to listen to a weak station. Today the keep the amateur world informed about the departure to Bouvet Island. In amateur radio term DX is widely used in amateur radio circles, operation. circles Bouvet Island is the fifth most popular referring to amateur stations outside the borders For Kritzinger it is more than just amateur radio. DX destination. This made Kritzinger an instant of one’s own country. “I have many duties as the team leader and world personality! Not having much practical the medic on the expedition, so ham radio has It is the aspiration of many amateurs to make experience, local radio amateurs rallied around contact with as many different countries as to provide a crash course on how to deal with to fit into my leisure time schedule that includes possible to qualify for the DXCC award. This pile-ups, the term used for many stations calling my passion for wildlife and photography. I look coveted award requires one to make contact you at the same time. forward to being part of the world of ham radio, with a hundred different countries. This is the and the opportunity I will have to make many entry level - today top DXers have contacts with new friends”. over 360 countries confirmed in their logbooks. For many of us to spend 14 months on a remote The problem with achieving this level is that island with just 14 team members for company there are many areas where no radio amateurs must sound like punishment. “The reason I go to are resident and to make a contact one has these off the beaten track places is because to reply on a DX-pedition to visit these territories. you can experience the extreme things in life. Marion Island is currently the sixth most popular Nothing in the sub-Antarctic is normal, the winds country for radio amateurs to make contact are extreme, the weather is extreme. Jacques with. From May this year they are in luck when Cousteau once said you must go and see, the 2008/2009 team of scientists settle on Marion and that is what I want to do – go and see! Island for the next 14 months. Among them is The experience is life-changing. You are in the a radio amateur, Petrus Kritzinger ZS6GCM. He middle of nowhere. You learn to know yourself is the medic and team leader of this year’s and the people in the team. In the end they expedition but in his spare time will join the world know you better than your own family. You get of radio amateurs. time to sit and talk, something that people don’t Marion Island, the largest of the Prince Edward Petrus Kritzinger with his amateur radio station on seem to do anymore.” Island group, is 1770 km south east of Port Bouvet Island (December 2007). His accommodation on Marion Island will be at the research station - “Going to these places breaks life down to simple Elizabeth. The island is 290 km square with luxury compared to the hardships on Bouvet. things and to me simpler is more enjoyable, less 72 km of mostly cliff-face coastline. South Africa complicated, less stressfull. You become part annexed the island group in 1947 and has built of nature. Animals and birds on the island don’t a research facility on the south east corner of “It was a real challenge”, said Kritzinger. “After I know people; they see you as part of their world Marion Island. had set up all the equipment, it did not work. It is and allow you to come up real close!” Kritzinger is no newcomer to work in these in times like this that you realise that handbooks After Marion Island? “I don’t plan that far ahead; remote and lonely places. He has already seen are not written for newcomers! I tried everything I will wait for other opportunities.” In the interim service on Gough Island and more recently on in the book and in desperation I decided to Petrus Kritzinger will have the world calling him! Bouvet Island. His started his career as a medic inspect the antenna that I had installed a few in the army and later qualified as an intensive days earlier. To my surprise the penguins had To listen to an interview with Petrus Kritzinger visit care nurse. His medical background makes dislodged the radials. Once fixed, I could call www.amateurradio.org.za/Petrusfinalarmi.mp3 .

EngineerIT - April 2008 75