A Honda generator. An IC 7000. Seven bandpass filters. Two multi-band antennas. A 500-watt amplifier. This equipment -- and more - are all gone now from the Pajaros rock where the team on IOTA Number SA-100 began operating on the 18th of August as 3G1P. Ocean swells of up to 3 metres - considered the worst seen in five years - forced Cezar, VE3LYC; Felipe, XQ7IR and Johan PA3EXX to be evacuated by the Chilean Coast Guard three days later. Wearing wetsuits, the hams swam to the rescuers' boats, eyeing the carefully packed-up equipment they had to leave behind on the rock. Already they were making plans to return for its retrieval.

Sea conditions prevented anyone from gaining access to the rock again until the 26th of August. Afterward, the team wrote on their website: [quote] "VERY BAD NEWS." [endquote] adding [quote] "There is absolutely nothing there except for the beam antenna that we left anchored, which has been damaged." [endquote] They believe that all else was swept away by the sea.

Now instead of QSOs, the trio has been collecting words of encouragement. In one of their most recent messages to chasers and supporters, they wrote: [quote] "We want to express our gratitude to all those who helped and will continue to help. They are living proof that the ham spirit is alive and well." [endquote]

To see the team's daily blog, detailing their challenges, follow the link in this week's newscast script at arnewsline.org