Heard


    Heard Island

    The combination of features-dramatic glaciated landscapes, abundant wildlife, geological history, and harsh weather conditions and the absence of any human introduction of non-indigenous species-makes this a region of outstanding natural values and can be readily recognized to have the inspiration qualities of a pristine wilderness.-AAD

    Heard Island lies in the southern Indian Ocean at 53°05' S - 73°30' E. It has an area of 368 km2. Its principal feature is the intermittently active volcano Big Ben, peaking at 2745 m above sea level. Toward the Northwest is Laurens Peninsula, which is a subsidiary volcanic cone 715 m above sea level. The remaining areas are mainly narrow coastal flats at the western and eastern ends. The margin is characterized by coastal ice cliffs and exposed high-energy rocky beaches. Heard Island is biologically pristine: there is no record of any human-introduced species.

    VK0CW

    The 1983 DX-Pedition to Heard Island

    I never forget this Dxpedition to this remote area of the world. My friend Walt W7SE,was one of the Heard Island crew.Walt, who was an engeneer of Aramco,was very active from Saudi Arabia, using the call HZ1AB. He did get the call VK0SE., to use on Heard Island. However, Walt never became active from Heard Island. The boat, the crew hired, did leave Perth for Heard Island, and found two times a big storm on its way. Two time the vessel did return to Perth, to reload fuel. After the second attempt, Walt did ran out of spare days, and had to return to Saudi Arabia, back to his job there. He only can say, I did carry the gear on the boat to Heard Island.

    In 1983, as you see on the QSL, I was lucky to get in the log. It was one of the last days, VK0CW was operating. Pile-ups where enormous. They where working split and I did not have a second VFO. A SWL friend of me, Cor, (now PA3FPB), living nextdoor brought his receiver, so I could split. I heard the operator saying up 61. My guess 14.061, was the right one, as you can see on the QSL.

    This 1983 trip to Heard Island is a story on itself, but the returntrip from Heard Island back to Perth is even more unbeleavable. Therefore you must see the video... The ship that should not have ...

    It did not suprise me, that the 1995 plan, to reactivate Heard-Island, was cancelled. The reason The ship,the expeditioners did hire, was unable to sail..... This first attempt to reactivate Heard Island, did cost them a lot of money. New plans were made for another try in 1997... Finally they succeeded.

    Do you want to read more about this adventure? Then read the book VK0IR, Heard Island, ISBN 0-9626013-7-3, written by KK6EK. It tells the complete story.

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