= NOW 30 WPM = TEXT IS FROM SEPTEMBER 2023 QST PAGE 80 = PLAN WAS TO ANCHOR ON THE SOUTHWEST SIDE OF THE ATOLL AND SET UP THE STATIONS ACROSS THE LAGOON, ON THE BEACH OF NEARBY PANDORA ISLET. UPON OUR MID MORNING ARRIVAL ON JUNE 11, THE SOUTH SIDE, INCLUDING THE ENTRANCE TO THE LAGOON, WAS COMPLETELY BLOCKED BY 12 FOOT WAVES AND HEAVY SURF. WE SLOWLY CRUISED AROUND THE ATOLL AND FOUND THAT THE WATERS OFF THE NORTH SHORE WERE MUCH CALMER. ALTHOUGH THIS WAS AN EXPOSED OPEN SHORE STUDDED WITH SHARP ROCKS, IT WAS OUR ONLY OPTION. WE KNEW FROM THE WEATHER FORECAST THAT WE WOULD HAVE 3 DAYS TO PUT THE STATIONS ASHORE AND GET THEM ON THE AIR. AFTER THAT PERIOD, STRONG NORTHERLY WINDS WOULD MAKE THE LOCATION UNTENABLE FOR THE BOAT, AND IMPOSSIBLE FOR US TO LAND. WE ANCHORED THE MAGNET ON THE EDGE OF THE DEEPWATER DROP OFF A PRECARIOUS POSITION AND IMMEDIATELY WENT TO WORK. TO QUICKLY SET UP AND MOVE EQUIPMENT ONTO THE ISLAND, AND TO REDUCE OUR FOOTPRINT, WE BUILT A PONTOON RIB BOAT, COMPLETE WITH WHEELS, TO ROLL UP THE BEACH. IT CARRIED THE RIBS AND ALL OF THE ANTENNA EQUIPMENT, AND IT WAS PRE WIRED WITH GENERATORS, BATTERIES, AND THE UHF DATA LINK. THE FOLLOWING AFTERNOON WAS SPENT = END OF 30 WPM TEXT = QST DE W1AW <