Update December 9, 2023: My trip to Con Dao is almost over. I managed to make over 1,500 QSO with stations from 73 DXCC. I worked mainly on FT8. Over 200 of contacts were on the 6m band. Full statistics you can find on ClubLog.
OQRS is open now. LoTW confirmation will be uploaded for all direct QSL requests. Full log will be uploaded to LoTW in the second half of 2024. ClubLog matching is planned to be switched on after 6 months. LoTW matching should be available immediately after validation by IOTA.
I am very sorry that I couldn't give a chance to QSO to all who needed AS-130. My apologies go especially to SSB and CW operators. While I could arrange a few CW skeds, I failed to work SSB. My antenna worked very badly and from the receiving point of view was really hopeless.
Thank you for your patience!.
73  Jacek SP5APW

Update December 3, 2023: I came to the island of Con Son 3 days ago. Before my trip I agreed with hotel management to install my antennas on the roof. Unfortunately when I came here I learnt that this roof is also occupied by 2 GSM antennas. I tried to put my 12m long pole as far as possible from those GSM stations, however the weather here is very windy and hotel staff worried if my long mast would not be broken and fall off the roof. All I could do was shorten the pole and bind it to the water tank construction. Unfortunately my antenna’s wires are very close to the GSM antennas. The level of noise I am experiencing here is terrible. No chance to work SSB. In case of FT8 mode I am also receiving only very strong stations, mainly from AS. On the first day I received an email that I was heard in the EU and about 15 stations were calling me but my waterfall was almost empty. Very annoying situation. Next local morning I woke up early to listen to NA. And I was surprised. I worked pretty many stations from there.

In the meantime I also operate on 6m. This is fairly successful. However the 6m antenna has already been broken by wind and had to be repaired. At the moment I have 80 callsigns in 6m log. Openings to JA are sometimes great.

I am doing what I can to log some EUs but it is very difficult. Unfortunately I have no chance to move to another QTH. This is not a regular dxpedition. I am alone and it is almost impossible from the logistic point of view. I am sorry that some of you will be disappointed. Especially those who counted for SSB sked. I am checking very often different bands looking for SSB stations but I always hear only terrible noise. This noise is stronger in the evenings so maybe its source is not only GSM BTS but also LED lighting.

Additionally to my own issues the magnetic storm destroyed propagation last day.

I am leaving the island on December 10th but my antenna must be taken down on December 9th before sunset because it is impossible to dismount it in the dark.

The weather here is not nice – strong wind and almost all day raining. Yesterday I experienced so much rain I have probably never seen. Additionally with this wind rain fell horizontally. Today was the first day with no rain and sometimes the sun appeared.

Update November 30, 2023: He is already QRV.

Dear IOTA chasers,

I am going to visit Vietnam again. After 8.5 years I go back to Con Son island AS-130.

Like on my recent trips I take with me only wire antennas for HF and no PA. My license allows me to operate only 20, 17, 15, 10 and 6m however the 6m band is limited to 53-54 MHz. I am going to operate SSB and FT8 on HF bands and FT8 on the 6m band.

Although limited resources I will try to work as many NA's as possible. My objective is not to make a big number of QSOs but to give new IOTA to those who really need it. So, if any of you needs AS-130 please drop me an email before or even during my trip. I will do all my best to help.

I am not a cw operator however if somebody hates FT8 and wants to try cw with me I should be able to manage it as a sked when there is no pile-up.

The expected date of operation is November 30 till December 9 and the callsign I will use is 3W9C.

Due to the lack of possibility to transmit on 50.313 I will be operating split: listening on 50.313 or 50.323 and transmitting on 53.313 or 53.323. The antenna for 6m will be 3-element yagi built from the Buddipole set. This setup worked well during my spring trip to OC-244 and OC-092 but I do not know if propagation in December will allow me to be successful this time too.
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to ask.

73, Jacek SP5APW