South Sandwich Viewer's Comments

The "VP8THU South Sandwich 2002" video is another fine addition to my James Brooks, 9V1YC, collection. As always, James's video photography is top notch, and brings this cold Antarctic island right into your living room. I would have to call this operation "EXTREME DXing". Southern Thule Island (part of the South Sandwich Island Group) has been called by other expeditioners as "the most horrible place on Earth". This video shows you the extreme conditions and challenges the VP8THU team went through just to air this rare entity. There is some beauty on the island as well as some historical information provided on the video. This video makes you appreciate the VP8THU's hard work as operators and devotion to DXing. 

-  Ted, KB8NW (Ohio/Penn DX Bulletin)

Congratulations on your excellent video. You've done a great job of balancing the footage so that it's not too heavy on the radio part,
which obviously was the purpose of the expedition, but you have a much wider market with the animals and history added. It is really
professionally done! Very steady shots. Also the historical footage is terrific. What a pit the Brits made of that little peninsula! And now
they should be shamed into cleaning it up, if you ask me.

- Jeff Rubin  (author, "Lonely Planet guide to Antarctica")

Yet another masterpiece...I enjoyed it very much. It arrived today and after this email I am off to watch it again!  Seeing the Braveheart again brought back a lot of memories and seeing you guys land and grab the rope and climb onto the island brought back a lot of memories of ZL8RI in 1996. Miss the bloody rock and your history! 

 -Ken, ZL4HU  (expedition leader  ZL8RI, ZL9CI and ZL7C)

The story of the DXpedition to Southern Thule Island in early 2002 is a winner. This is the latest in James Brooks' series of videos on DXpeditioning which include VK0IR, FO0AAA, ZL9CI, A52A and others. Southern Thule Island in the South Sandwich group as VP8THU is one of the more difficult adventures for DXers. The challenge of dangerous landing conditions, extreme environment and bitterly cold howling winds trying to rip away tents surrounded by 100,000 screaming penguins is overcome by these courageous veterans of DXing. It's a great story which will leave you spellbound for 45 minutes. James never lets ham radio overshadow this amazing adventure and yet, he focuses on the technical side as well. Thule Island with it's beautiful, but deadly environment is mesmerizing as icebergs the size of several city blocks drift by the harbor. The stark beauty of this cold, wet, miserable and dangerous place is hard to believe. It's a great video and well worth adding to your collection. It definitely gets my five star rating!

- Lee, ZL2AL

The video was fantastic -- enjoyed by all -- Great Job - fantastic DXpedition -!  - Bill, K5YG

I saw the video twice last night and could not get to sleep, I was so exited about the DXpedition. The beginning was very impressive...the big waves and the interviews, it put me right away in a "DXpedition" mood. The historical part
was a surprise. The photos from previous expeditions and the TV shots of the invasion
put  the video on a different category. The video is so good and well documented, and seeing so many good friends on it it was great.   I hope that we have a chance to go to a rare place together... lets just find a warmer place!

- Ramon, XE1KK

WONDERFUL productions! Even my young children watched some of the tapes...they loved the animals and scenery of course. In fact, my 7-year old son said he wanted to go to one of "those islands" :-) You should have a standing invitation to go on all major DXpeditions. I could sit and watch these tapes over and over.
- Glenn,  K2FF

A quick note to let you know we enjoyed the VP8THU video, which was top-notch, as usual. - Wilbert, ZL2BSJ

The video and the story were very nice!
- Marq, CT1BWW

 

Just finished watching the South Sandwich video - as usual its great - even my XYL watched the whole thing(K2MUA). Never realized the beauty of Southern Argentina, and South Sandwich is one "Hell" of a place... - Mario, K2MUB

 

Riveting !!   Your VP8THU received a very appreciative round of applause at the local club meeting tonight and I am a dead sitter for the part II video when it comes out. Looking forward to seeing it again tomorrow night when I present it at the local ham radio club meet, then at National conference 2 weeks away....! 

- Lester, ZL4PO


I've seen the VP8THU film during our Clipperton DX Club convention in Brittany, congratulations for a very nice and interesting vids.

- Laurent, F5NLY

You do a great job editing. I'm on the board of a community TV facility and am pretty practiced at editing, and enjoy watching your work. Maybe I'm biased, however. DXers usually are!

- Lee, KI7SS
 


Enjoyed the VP8THU video...thanks for taking the equipment to again make a world class account of this exciting expedition!!!  Usual outstanding video!!!! - Al, W5IZ
 

 

The VP8THU tape arrived about 2 hrs ago and
it was in the recorder within 5 mins. Ive watched it twice now. All Ican say is how gob smacked I was with hits quality and professional feel
..no different to watching a documentary on the Discovery Channel! and thanks again.

- Neil, G0JHC


I saw your VP8THU Dxpedition video at our local DX club meeting tonight and it was remarkable! Congratulations on a really  beautiful job of shooting, writing and editing. The graphics were outstanding as well. I used to be in the video business myself, having owned a full service production company here in Texas.... Again, my hat is off to you for putting together a spectacular video. -  Gary W5WC
 

Received this week the brand new DVD showing the VP8THU DXpedition.  Great DVD; great quality (picture & audio) and a great DXpedition. What can I say more? Good mix between history and showing the DXpedition in full battle. Duration 45 min, could be more but James did a very good job. If this was a National Geographic Channel broadcast you said, WOW! For the ones who have seen/own the ZL9CI, FO0AAA and A52A tapes: same setup  but better picture & sound quality.  - Jan, PA0JED

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