Updates on EA8DBM's Solo 23cm EME DX'pedition to Chatham Island
Clark L. Stewart
March 20 Update: As experience shows, when a trip starts going sideways, it just keeps going sideways.
I arrived in Auckland. Three of my checked bags with the equipment made it, but the box with the antenna is lost. Tomorrow, March 21st, I have my flight to Chatham, and I have no antenna.
The airline promises that if they find it, they will forward the case directly to Chatham. However, considering that flights to the island only operate on Saturdays and Sundays, there is exactly one chance left to receive it: the day after tomorrow.
Fingers crossed, hoping for a miracle. Otherwise, this DXpedition can be considered dead in the water.
March 21 Update: This morning, I visited the lost baggage department at Auckland Airport. Since it’s the weekend, no one is working. The only answer I got was: “We know nothing, and we can’t help you.”
The next flight from Hainan—where my oversized baggage was most likely left behind—doesn’t arrive until Sunday evening, March 22nd. This is after the last flight of the week departs for Chatham Island.
Because of this, I have canceled my tickets to the island. My new hope is that I can at least activate the main island of New Zealand (ZL). That is, of course, assuming the luggage isn’t lost forever.
73, Clark, W8TN