🏝️ VU7T – Lakshadweep Islands (IOTA AS-011)

Dates: May 22–28, 2025
Callsign: VU7T
Location: Lakshadweep Islands (formerly Laccadive Islands), India
IOTA: AS-011
Primary Objective: CQ WPX CW Contest 2025

🔊 Current Status (May 23 Update):

• QRV on 40m and higher

• CW only for now, SSB from May 26 onward

• Original vertical array plan abandoned due to strong monsoon winds

• Using simple verticals near the beach

• Limited activation on QO-100 Satellite, rain fading affecting signals

• Supported by local hams & SWLs, especially VU3FFB (Fahad) and SWL Rasal

“Strong wind and heavy rain are giving us nervous moments. Hope the antennas hold for the contest.”

🛰️ Satellite Activation:

• VU7 activated on QO-100 – first-time SAT activation from the island!

• Expect intermittent operation between HF and contest prep

🛠️ Team & Support:

• VU2JXN – Ram

• VU3HPF – Gopan (M0XUU)

• VU3FFB – Fahad (local operator)

• VU2TT – San (A45TT)

• VU2YYF – Sid

• VU2CPL – Manoj (Pilot station in mainland India)

📻 Equipment & Plans:

• Simple vertical antennas, built onsite

• Focused HF coverage, no 6m confirmed

• Two HF stations if baggage logistics allow

• First-time SAT activation for VU7

• Video by VU2JXN (shared via G0FCU)