Update 1st of May 2014:
I have now changed jobs, and will not be doing any /MM operations in the foreseeable future.
Due to the nature of my previous work, I spent several weeks at sea every year on the research vessel H.U Sverdrup II. Up to twenty weeks actually. I was mostly aboard as a mission commander/party chief for the scientific personnel. Much of the time was spent in the Barents region, but we were also present in the Norwegain and North Sea.
The vessel H.U Sverdrup II, 55 meters long and mostly used for oceanographic surveys. The number of personnell onboard varies from seven to 22.
I had one antenna permanently up, a 2x12.5 trapped dipole. It's was out there for five years, 95 percent of the time exposed to the harsh climate of the arctic regions. It is still very much alive, now hanging in a tree outside my house - good stuff! The antenna was made by LA1IC, and has coaxial traps. Sort of a shortened W3DZZ antenna, resonant on 80, 40, 17 and six, but I tuned it up on all bands. I had a quite good ground plane at sea you see. In the image above, look for the traps and you'll se the antenna. It was around ten meters above sea level.
Station equipment varied over the years, from my FT817 during the first years, via an Elecraft KX1 and IC7000 to my Elecraft KX3. The KX3 is the one that most fulfills my needs. I might add the amp, but there isn't much to gain from that. The paddle that comes with the KX3 is sluggish, even the updated one, so for most cruises I used my Begali Magnetic Traveller Light (the best paddle I ever owned).
I had (Sept. 2013) worked over 2500 QSO's as /MM. The days go by slowly in the vast voids of the oceans, even with twelve hour shifts, so it was good to have some pastime.
The condx weren't often so good in the Barents Sea, and I worked mainly CW.
For those of you waiting for a QSL-card - it is on it´s way. LOTW is up to date.
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