QSO with Russian Research Vessel
November 2013

I just worked the Russian Research Vessel Akademik Fedorov
at sea.



It's always a thrill for me to work ships at sea. This was an ordinary QSO on 12 meters...
but not ordinary for me. RW1AI/MM was calling CQ. I answered and we exchanged
599s. Then I asked Mik for the name of his vessel. I looked it up on "ship track" and
found its current location off Portugal with a destination of Cape Town. My guess is
it will re-supply there and head to the Antarctic.



The vessel is 463 feet long and was traveling at 14 knots. I think I was traveling a lot
faster than that! Even though I was sitting in my warm shack, a maritime QSO just brings
adventure and the thrill of remote radio contacts to me. Thanks Mik for the nice QSO.
Good sailing OM.