The Ohio/Penn Dx PacketCluster
DX Bulletin No. 1192
BID: $OPDX.1192
December 8, 2014
Editor Tedd Mirgliotta, KB8NW
Provided by BARF80.ORG (Cleveland, Ohio)

Thanks to the Northern Ohio Amateur Radio Society, Northern Ohio DX Association, Ohio/Penn PacketCluster Network, AB5K & the AR TelNet Clusters Network, K1XN & GoList, NJ1Q & W1AW, NG3K & ADXO, W3UR & The Daily DX, AA4NC, N4AA & QRZ DX, W4DN, K5KV, WB6RSE, WC6DX, K8CX, K8GI, K8PGJ, K8YSE, W8GEX & 60m News, W9ILY, 4X1VF, DG1SGW, DL7UXG & The DX News Letter, DL1SBF, DxCoffee.com, DXNews.com, DX-World.Net, E51AND, ES1CW, F5NQL, F6AJA & Les Nouvelles DX, HB9DDZ, I1JQJ/IK1ADH & 425 DX News, I2MQP & DX Italia News, LB2TB, ON4WW, OZ6OM & 50 MHz DX News, RSGB IOTA Web Site, Sixitalia Weekly, TA5FA, VA3RJ & ICPO, the VHF-DX-Portal (MMMonVHF) and VU2CDP for the following DX information.

DXCC COUNTRY/ENTITY REPORT
According to the AR-Cluster Network for the week of Sunday, 30th-November, through Sunday, 7th-December there were 236 countries active. Countries available: 3A, 3B8, 3B9, 3D2, 3DA, 3V, 3W, 4J, 4L, 4O, 4S, 4X, 5A, 5B, 5H, 5N, 5R, 5T, 5W, 5X, 5Z, 6W, 6Y, 7O, 7Q, 7X, 8P, 8Q, 8R, 9A, 9H, 9J, 9K, 9M2, 9M6, 9N, 9Q, 9V, 9Y, A2, A4, A5, A6, A7, A9, AP, BV, BY, C2, C3, C5, C6, C9, CE, CE0Z, CE9, CM, CN, CP, CT, CT3, CU, CX, D2, D4, DL, DU, E3, E5/s, E6, E7, EA, EA6, EA8, EA9, EI, EK, EL, EP, ER, ES, ET, EU, EX, EY, F, FG, FK, FM, FO, FR, FS, FW, FY, G, GD, GI, GJ, GM, GU, GW, HA, HB, HB0, HC, HC8, HH, HI, HK, HK0/a, HL, HP, HR, HS, HV, HZ, I, IS, J2, J3, J5, J6, J7, JA, JD/o, JT, JW, JY, K, KG4, KH0, KH2, KH6, KH8, KL, KP2, KP4, LA, LU, LX, LY, LZ, OA, OD, OE, OH, OH0, OK, OM, ON, OX, OY, OZ, P4, PA, PJ2, PJ4, PJ7, PY, PZ, S0, S2, S5, SM, SP, SU, SV, SV/a, SV5, SV9, T2, T30, T5, T7, T8, TA, TF, TG, TI, TK, TR, TY, UA, UA2, UA9, UK, UN, UR, V2, V3, V4, V5, V6, V7, V8, VE, VK, VK9N, VP2E, VP2M, VP2V, VP5, VP8, VP8/g, VP9, VQ9, VR, VU, VU4, XE, XT, XU, XW, XX9, YA, YB, YI, YL, YN, YO, YS, YU, YV, Z2, Z3, Z8, ZA, ZB, ZD7, ZD8, ZD9, ZF, ZL, ZP, ZS

PLEASE NOTE: The report "could" contain "Pirate/SLIM" operations or more likely a "BUSTED CALLSIGN". As always, you never know - "Work First Worry Later".

3Y/B, BOUVET 2016 (Request for funding intentions de ON4WW)
See additional bulletin below.

4X0, ISRAEL (WFF/XFF Op)
Members of the Holyland DX Group will activate Mamshit

5R, MADAGASCAR (Postponed)
Toshi, JA8BMK, reports that he had to postponed his operation to Antananarivo, Madagascar, as 5R8DX "due to the plague prevalence in the area."

AFRICAN TOURS (Reminder)
Just a reminder that Nick, G3RWF, will start his Southern Africa Tour for a 5 week holiday starting in Lesotho and being active as 7P8NH between December 11-14th. Nick informs OPDX that this is "real holiday" with the entire family coming to Southern Africa between Christmas and the New Year. However, he will be there longer with his wife, Liz. Nick states [edited],

"I shall be on the air from South Africa from about December 18th to January 5th as ZS1/G3RWF, and then from Namibia from about January 6-13th as V5/G3RWF. All CW only (taking my K2)."

ANTARCTICA
Alexei, RV3ARY, is planning an attempt to operate from Mount Vinson (WAP MNB-01), Antarctica (Grid Square EB62), between December 24th and January 3rd (2015). He will use battery power and take a Windom and Yagi antenna for 20m. He plans to operate on 7045, 14260 and 21260 kHz. More details will be forthcoming. [Russian translation courtesy WC6DX]

CP, BOLIVIA
Antonio, EA5RM, will be active as CP1XRM from San Ignacio de Moxos between December 8-12th. Activity will be on the HF bands, but will be limited to spare time because of work. Modes will be on SSB and RTTY. QSL via his home callsign.

DAYTON HAMVENTION NEWS (SWODXA Press Release/DX Dinner Announcement) Dated December 5th
The SouthWest Ohio DX Association (SWODXA) is pleased to announce that we will again sponsor the DX Dinner, held in conjunction with the 2015 Dayton Hamvention®. This, our 30th annual dinner, will be on Friday, May 15th, 2015, at the Dayton Marriott, 1414 S. Patterson Blvd., Dayton, OH 45409.

We have worked with our normally generous prize donors to gather prizes that will reflect the momentous occasion that this THIRTIETH anniversary represents. Among other great prizes, Yaesu has generously donated an FT DX-3000!

There will be a cash bar starting at 5:30 p.m., with dinner served at 7:00. Following the meal, there will be a separate room and cash bar available for more fellowship. This is an excellent opportunity to meet new hams and to renew old acquaintances as well as to learn about past DXpeditions and those in the planning stages.

The Marriott is very accommodating to a group our size. The dining room is on the ground floor so there are no steps, the dining room is very large, and there is ample free, on-site parking.

This dinner is always well attended by some of the most avid DXers in the world. As in the past, there will be some major door prizes, and there is always great anticipation as to who will be named the "DXpedition of the Year".

We are already getting queries regarding tickets and we will be accepting ticket requests on December 5th, two months ahead of our normal start date! To accommodate the group requests we have already had, we will be offering the purchase of tables (10 seats) at a discount!

Details and dinner reservation information can be found on the SWODXA Events website

Program details and a list of the prizes will be on the website as they become available and updates will be sent out regularly via Twitter. Follow us on Twitter - @SWODXA......
-- Bill, AJ8B, SWODXA DX Dinner Chairman and SWODXA Club Secretary

E5, COOK ISLANDS (North and South)
Andy, E51AND, informs OPDX

"Cook Island's RESIDENT hams will be allowed a special 1x1 callsign in the form E50x for use during the 50th anniversary of Self Governance in 2015. Visitors to the island will be issued a callsign in accordance with current practice in the form E51xxx. The special call is available for use at the operator's discretion ONLY during the period January 1st, 2015 to December 31st, 2015."

"There are only 7 resident licensed hams in the entire country -- 15 TINY islands in 2.25 MILLION square kilometres of the Pacific!"

In the South Cooks Islands:
E50A - Andy Duncan, E51AND, on Rarotonga Island (OC-013). He has 160-10 meters capability and operates on SSB and QRS CW. Andy is hoping to make at least one portable operation during the year either to Palmerston Atoll (OC-124) or Pukapuka Atoll (OC-098). Both are difficult and expensive to reach (esp Puka) with VERY uncertain in/out transportation . . . . RSGB IOTA will be notified if it comes together.

E50B - Bob Walker, E51BQ, on Rarotonga Island (OC-013); SSB.

E50D - Desmond Clarke, E51DD, on Aitutaki Island (OC-083). Des' antennas were recently destroyed in a Category 5 Cyclone, but he hopes to be on the air in the New Year with a Butternut vertical mainly on the low bands.

E50J - Jim Ditchburn, E51JD, on Rarotonga Island (OC-013); SSB.

E50K - Kat Cheval, E51CK/E51KC, the only resident YL on Rarotonga Island (OC-013); SSB. Kat is rarely on due to the "instant on" and overwhelming pile-ups she routinely experiences -- multiplied exponentially when a YL gets on the air. Kat is also the XYL of Andy, E51AND.

E50V - Victor Rivera, E51CG, on Rarotonga Island (OC-013). Activity will be on SSB; he does have 6 meters capability.

ADDED NOTES: Andy, E51AND, states [edited],

"NONE of the residents are DXers/Contesters, but rather more 'rag chewers' LOL -- and none of us (except possibly E50W) have digital mode capability -- so be patient with us!!! LOL... It is noteworthy that the islands are VERY isolated, internet bandwidth is VERY limited and very expensive, and tech support unheard of . . . . so, at the moment, none of us use LoTW or eQSL -- though I (Andy) am working on getting DX Lab up and running and connecting to LoTW -- sure could use an Elmer though!!!! LOL -- IF I can make it work, E50A and E50K will have LoTW and eQSL capability at some time in the New Year."

The individual donor list is growing longer each day, that made us decide to send a direct QSL card for contacts made with EP6T to all individual contributors without any cost.

Meanwhile, Dr. Azim Fard, General Director of Radio Frequency Planning and Licensing of the C.R.A in the Islamic Republic of Iran has given this project a real boost. Sixty students have already passed their ham radio exams with flying colors and will be able to receive an EP call in the near future. 160m and 30m are not allocated to amateur radio service in Iran, but Dr. Fard allowed us to use these bands during the EP6T Dxpedition. Unfortunately 6m shall not be used. This band is allocated to fixed, mobile and broadcasting services.

It's fantastic to see such a high level of interest towards this project, but on the other hand we are concerned by the small time frame in which we can work NA. Propagation predictions made for us by K6TU, tells us that the path from Iran to North America is very difficult. In contrast to other continents, the NA openings are of short duration and the signals on various frequencies are extremely weak. On low bands it might be possible that signals from W6, 7 are arriving over the long path.

Stu's predictions will be the guiding principle for our beam direction, but this will not be enough to get a fair continental balance.

We will keep this in mind in order to prepare a plan and to share this with the DX community so everyone knows in advance what the appropriate time is to contact us. By doing so, YOU will hopefully give us the oppor- tunity to work with other continents during "their opening".

We will do our best by all means to revert your feedback to our pilots to fit our plan the best way possible.

QRX, more info available soon on www.Rockall.be.
.... The Rockall DX Group

FM, MARTINIQUE
Operators Gérard/F2VX and Bernard/F9IE will be active as FM/homecall between December 11th and January 8th (2015). Activity will be active on all HF bands using CW and SSB, from Lucie's, FM5WD, station. QSL via their home callsigns. ADDED NOTE: They may make a side trip to St. Lucia (J6).

FW, WALLIS AND FUTUNA ISLANDS
Jean-Jacques, FW5JJ, is back on Wallis Island (OC-054) after a few months holiday on Corsica as TK5JJ. He is expected to be on Wallis for 2 years (possibly longer). Activity is on the HF bands and 6 meters. Also, FW5JJ is now operating on 144 MHz EME and has made his first FW-F (Wallis to France) QSO with F6BKI in Bordeaux, France. Jean-Jacques will also be installing 160 ad 80 meters antennas soon. QSL direct only via F5RXL (OQRS). Check out the pictures on QRZ.com.

IOTA NEWS
AS-021. Members of the Emirates Amateur Radio Society (EARS) are now active as A63DI from Dalma Island until December 10th. Activity is on all HF bands using CW, SSB and RTTY. Check the suggested IOTA frequencies. They have three stations on the air (one for "outside Europe only"). QSL via IZ8CLM. An OQRS is available on their Web page at:

AS-153. Members of the West Bengal Radio Club (VU2MQT) will be active as 8T5MQT from Sagar Island between January 9-16th (2015). Activity will be mainly on 14260 kHz. QSL via VU2NRO. For more details and updates, visit QRZ.com or http://wbradioclub.in.

EU-122. Operators Bernard/G3SHF, Carsten/G0SYP, Tom/M0DCG, Evan/M0TJU, Dave/G0LZL, Pete/M1PTR and Kieron/M5KJM will be active as GI5O from Rathlin Island (WLOTA 0039) between July 24-26th (2015). Activity will be on all HF bands, and include an entry in the RSGB IOTA Contest (July 25-26th). The team will be operating from the Rathlin East (Altacarry Head) High Lighthouse (ARLHS NTI-011, Admiralty A6062). QSL via the Bureau or M5KJM.

NA-043. Joe, K5KUA, will once again be active as K5KUA/5 from Galveston Island (USI TX-001S, Galveston County, TX) between December 12-14th. Activity will be on CW only, as time permits. QSL via his home callsign, direct or by the Bureau. An online log search will be available on ClubLog.

OC-157. Din, YB8RW, will be active as YB8RW/8 from Banda Neira Island in the Maluku Province, Indonesia, between December 22-27th. Activity will be on 40-10 meters using CW and SSB. QSL via YB8RW, direct or by the OQRS on ClubLog.

SA-030. Members of the Radiogrupo Sur will once again be active as CV5A from Flores Island (ARLHS URU-001) between February 21-23rd (2015). Activity will be on all bands and modes. QSL via CX2ABC.

K1N NAVASSA ISLAND DXPEDITION (Press Release - Dated December 4th)
From the "KP1-5 Project":

The KP1-5 Project and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service have been working together on preparations for our joint 14 day visit to Navassa Island NWR. Although the actual dates may still vary, it now appears we will begin transport to the Island during the last week of January 2015.

Our container of equipment and supplies will depart late in December enroute to our helicopter staging area. All of our equipment is being assembled, tested and packed.

We have visited and contracted with the largest helicopter operations group in the Caribbean to transfer personnel and equipment to the island. Our window of opportunity, dictated by USFWS, is during the period of least bird nesting. But it is also the time of the most treacherous seas, making a safe sea landing of all our equipment and people all but impossible. The famous "ladder" used to access the island at Lulu Bay was removed when the U.S. Coast Guard turned administration over to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. For safety reasons, the USFWS uses helicopter transport to the island and we will too.

Consequently, and as one might expect, the costs of this DXpedition are quite high. The team has contributed approximately half of the total cost. Foundations such as NCDXF and INDEXA have been very generous, as have a number of DX Clubs and individuals, and for this generosity, we are deeply grateful!

The particulars of this DXpedition require more "up front" payments than most DXpeditions and we have a "cash flow timing" situation that needs to be addressed. The helicopter contractual agreement requires all charter costs to be paid prior to the conclusion of the project. Many older hams need a mode or band fill from Navassa, but an entire generation has grown up without Navassa being on the air. Hence, it has risen to the #1 Most Wanted on the ClubLog list. If you need Navassa for an all-time new one (ATNO), or for a particular band or mode, we could use your financial help. If you plan to help support the DXpedition, we ask that you do so now, not later.

We have an excellent team of fifteen operators who will be manning eight stations 24 hours/day, dedicated to giving out as many contacts as possible over the two week period.

Your generous financial gift will help insure a most successful DXpedition for all!

Please visit for details. For the KP1-5 Project,
Bob Allphin, K4UEE, President
Glenn Johnson, W0GJ, Vice President
Mike Thomas, NA5U, Secretary

OY, FAROE ISLANDS
Carsten, OY1CT, will be active during the CQWW WPX CW Contest (May 30-31st) as a Single-Op/Single--Band (10m, alternative 15m)/High-Power entry. QSL via OY1CT.

P4, ARUBA
Tom, K8CX, will once again be active as P40CX from Aruba (SA-036) between December 9-16th. Activity will be on 160-6 meters using CW and SSB. He also plans to participate in the ARRL 10m Contest (December 13-14th) as a Single-Op/Mixed-Mode entry. QSL via his home callsign, direct or by the Bureau.

PJ4, BONAIRE (Update)
Klaus, DG1SGW, will be active as PJ4/DG1SGW from Bonaire (SA-006) between March 1-12th (2015). Activity will be holiday style (this is a diving trip first) on the 20-6 meters, maybe 40m, using only SSB with a wire end-feed antenna and a MP1 Portable Vertical antenna. He will know more about his QTH once he arrives at the dive base and the hotel. Klaus thinks most of operating will be in the evening hours. His radio will be an ICOM IC706 with 100 watts and no amplifier. QSL via his home callsign, direct, by the Bureau or LoTW.

PROPAGATION FORECAST/REPORT (December 8-14th)

 Dec/08th HN      Dec/11th  HN      Dec/13th  LN
 Dec/09th AN      Dec/12th  HN      Dec/14th  HN
 Dec/10th AN


   SOLAR REFERENCE KEYS/INDEXES AND GEOMAGNETIC REFERENCE
   ======================================================
    NORMALITY               GEOMAG       K Values    Alpha
   -----------------        ------       --------    ------
   AN  - Above Normal       Quiet        K=0-1       0-7
   HN  - High Normal        Unsettled    K=2         8-15
   LN  - Low Normal         Active       K=3         16-29
   BN  - Below Normal       Minor Storm  K=4         30-49
   DIS - Disturbed          Major Storm  K=5         50-99
   VRY DIS - Very Disturbed Severe Storm K=6-9       100-400

The purpose of this experimental Web site is to provide 24-7-365 actual (REALTIME) band condition information to CW QRPp, QRPe and CW/SSB for Contesters interested in increasing their scores. It can also be of benefit to other Radio Amateurs to determine band conditions for Nets and casual QSO's. This information is NOT based on any software pre- dictions or any kind of satellite based readings. It is based on a new Ionospheric sounding method called "HF Ionospheric Interferometry" which operates very similarly to the PolSAR system used by NASA.

QSL INFO AND NEWS

  QSL-INFO from DB0SDX (December 7th)
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------
  4V1JR via W3HNK        II0C via S50C              SV1/SV2FWV via SV2FWV
  EA6FO via EA5BM        KP2Q via K3TEJ             TC7S via OE1ZKC
  ED9U via EA5HPX        MM0/VK6JON/M via VK6JON    VP2MKC via GM4FDM
  HB2T via HB9EE (L)     OL2A via OK2ARM            XV9NPS via JA2NPS (B)
    (e) eQSL only  (d) direct only   (B) Bureau only  (L) LoTW only
    (O) OQRS only  (C) ClubLog only  (*) LoTW preferred

MAYOTTE QSL ROUTES (Operations before Tromelin)
Maurice, F5NQL, reports that during the several hours spent in transit on Mayotte Island, and before flying to Tromelin Island, the following members of the FT4TA team made some QSOs. QSLs for the following, should go to:

FH/F5CWU via F5CWU, direct, by the Bureau or LoTW
FH/FM5CD, FH/F5ROP, FH/F4AJQ via F5NQL, direct or by the Bureau

QSL RECEIVED VIA LoTW: 3B8HA, 3B9HA, 3C0BYP, A45XR, C21GC, C5YK, CT1AGF, DG1VL, DH6DAO, DJ6TK, DK2GZ, DL1A, DL3XM, DL4FAP, DL5ST, EA8AJY, EA8CN, F6BWJ, FG1JS, G0OAG, G4FOC, G5LP, G6AY, GA4ZNC, HA2EOA, HB9AWS, HK3Q, JA1MRM, JA9CWJ, JH7FMJ, JI1CPN, KH6LC, M2G, MU0FAL, ON4EB, ON6LR, ON7DDG, OZ8SW, PJ2T, RJ5DX, RW0LT, S53F, SA6G, SP3DOF, SP6LUV, SP8HXN, SQ3PMX, SV2DGH, T6T, UA0FO, VE7AHA, VE7AHA, VK3CEW, VK3FM, VP2EAQ, W1AW/KH8, WL7E, XE2YWH, YO3FRI and ZS1TMJ

QSLS RECEIVED VIA MAIL: 4W/G3ZEM, 4W/K7CO, 5H3EE, A25JR, CX8DS, E51NOU, HB0/DL2SBY, HL1VAU/2, J28NC, JD1/7J1AYK, OY1CT, P29NI, P29VCX, RI0X, RI44ANT, S79KB, SU9VB, TY1AA, XR0ZR and YP0F

QSLS RECEIVED VIA THE BUREAU: CT9/F5SGI, ES25B, FG4KH, FG/F5RYX, FK8CP, FK8IK, FO8RZ, FM/F5LGE, FM/F5MCC, FY5FY, HB0/F5VX, TA1UT, TK14CC, TC2C, TC9SAM, TC10SWAT, TC0GI, TC90A, TC90TC, TC301B, TM6CL, TM8BIRD, TM0MIT, TM14WPEX, TM16C, TM22TSF, TM24H, TM29CTI, TM35CDXC, TM41LUC, TM68, TDF, TM70CF, TM70UTAH, TM80GW, TM95BA, TM850CS, TT8PK, PR7ZAJ and YM2SFT

SILENT KEY
Dave, W4DN, informs OPDX that his brother Isaac Novoa, KP4MS, became a "Silent Key" (SK) last week. He was very active on CW and the digital modes. He worked 310 entities, but did not care to send QSLs to the ARRL (except 100 or so for 80 meters). OPDX and its readers would to send out our deepest sympathy to the family and friends of KP4MS.

T8, PALAU
Akira, JH0CKF/DU1CKF/AF1Y, will be active as T88MZ from the VIP Guest Hotel (Free Radio Room) on Koror Island (OC-009) between December 10-12th. He is there on business so activity will be limited to his spare time on the HF bands. QSL via DU1CKF, direct or by the Bureau, eQSL or LoTW. For more details about the VIP Guest Hotel (Free Radio Room), see:

TC5, TURKEY (Special Event)
Look for special event station TC5OCK to be active from Adana between January 1-10th. Activity is to recognize the anniversary of Liberation Day of Adana City (January 5, 1922). Look for operations on the HF bands. Operators mentioned are Adem/TA5BS, Murat/TA5IW and Met/TA5FA. QSL via address at:

VK9C, COCOS (KEELING) ISLANDS (Early Notice)
Lars, LB2TB, has informed OPDX of a very early notice about their DXpedition to VK9C planned for March 2016. Activity is planned for 160-10 meters using CW, SSB and RTTY, with at least 2 stations operational. They will have 2-3 operators. Focus will be to give out a new one to as many Hams as possible, and activating 80/160 meters. He adds [edited], "Cocos (Keeling) Islands has had several activations - mostly 'holiday style'. We plan to do this as a 100% 'DX- pedition style'. ('LZ2GC, Stan - style'). Information about equipment and exact operating dates will be announced 12 months before operations start (due to booking of tickets)." Stay tuned for updates.

VP9, BERMUDA
Larry, K4KGG will be active as VP9/K4KGG from Hamilton Parish (NA-005, WLOTA 0201) between December 31st and January 5th (2015). Activity will be on the HF bands. QSL via W3HNK, direct or by the Bureau. All contacts will be uploaded to LoTW and ClubLog.

VU4KV QRT (Brief Summary)
Deepak, VU2CDP, reports on December 6th [edited]: VU4KV went QRT at midnight on 30th November (18:30z). There were four stations active till the very end ­ three on CW in the CQWW CW Contest and one on RTTY. Except for the Contest log, all other QSOs are now on Clublog.

We managed just under 50k QSOs in some very trying circumstances as the team whittled down to 7 members. Pai, VU2PAI, returned home after the VU4CB Nicobar IOTA operation and could not make it back. Another op ­ Sangeeth, VU2WH (A45WH), had to fly back home on the fourth day to attend to an urgent family matter. The team remaining on the island was ­ Krish/W4VKU, Prasad/VU2PTT, Kumar/VU2BGS, Nandu/VU2NKS, Chetan/VU3DMP, Kiran/VU3KPL and Deepak/VU2CDP.

The heat and humidity tested the endurance of the team members and they took some time to get all antennas up including 6m. With a reduced team it was a challenge to be on multiple bands at the same time but we persevered. We were also interrupted frequently by power cuts and a generator that would not kick in on its own. Aside from this, we even endured a huge thunderstorm during one of our evenings and experienced tremors from a minor earthquake one morning.

If you noticed any unusual flutter in our signals, it was probably the antennas swaying! Speaking of which, our antennas were ­ Vertical Dipole Arrays (VDAs) for 20 ­ 10m placed right at the water’s edge, a two-element phased array on 30m and 80m, a four square on 40m, a top loaded vertical on 160m and a 9 element beam on 6m. A gallery with more pictures has been published on our website and it can accessed here

Please use vu4kv_log@yahoo.com for all log check requests. The QSL design will commence soon and we will keep everyone posted on the updates.

Thank you for your calls and we hope you had fun chasing us for a new DXCC or band/mode country. 73 and see you again!

ZF2, CAYMAN ISLANDS
Pete, K8PGJ, will be active as ZF2PG on the Sunny Grand Cayman Islands (NA-016) during the week of January 10-18th (2015). Activity [when not diving] will occur on 20-10 meters SSB on the weekdays and hopefully one night on 160-40 meters. Pete will activate the Caymans for the North American QSO Party [SSB] (January 17-18th) on 160-10 meters. LoTW will be utilized and direct QSLs go to his home callsign. Schedule will be posted on QRZ.com.

Additional Bulletins

From: Mark ON4WW bouvet2016@telenet.be
Subject: Bouvet 2016 - request for funding intentions (de ON4WW)

(DX Bulletins/Magazines/Websites
for your info. Have a nice Sunday - 73 - Mark) Dear DXer,

On 26 October 2014 an announcement was made through various channels that I had obtained permission to land and reside on Bouvet Island (3Y/B) for the mid-January 2016 until mid-April 2016 time frame.

On the webpage http://www.on4ww.be/bouvet2016.html an extensive description of the project as well as a request for (exclusive) funding was put forward.

On 19 November 2014 I sent a request for funding intentions to the various DX Foundations, DX Clubs, Radio Amateur Organizations and some of the corporate material providers.

Today I am addressing you as an individual DXer who has actively contributed towards the success of one or more of the fairly recent major DXpeditions.

On 11 November 2014 Alex/UN7PCZ announced a two week DXpedition to Bouvet Island during the December 2015 - January 2016 time frame. I do not at all see this as a competing project, and welcome this great news.

The fact of a large group going to Bouvet has convinced me even more that I should try to obtain funding through a single/exclusive sponsor, as extensively outlined at http://www.on4ww.be/bouvet2016.html#funding .

Two main reasons for this would be to

1) off-load the financial burden from the ham community (in case the sponsor doesn't want a financial return but has other plans with the project), and

2) for me to be able to focus on the DXpedition logistics, rather than having to search for finances.

In case I manage to secure an exclusive sponsor for this project, it would obviously be favorable if this sponsor does not specifically seek a financial return. In the opposite scenario I will have to turn to the ham community, investigating what is feasible in terms of financial support.

The subsequent question: what financial support would you be able to pledge for this project? This is no formal request for funding, I am only asking for your intentions in order to assess the financial feasibility of the project ­ with the scenario outlined above.

The forecasted budget is put at 250,000 euro (± 310,000 USD), which is far less than a larger group operating for a shorter period of time would require. Furthermore, this is a generous forecast, I expect the final budget to ultimately be less.

In the last month I received donation pledges from individual DXers ranging from 15 to 3,400 euro. To give you an idea what would be needed to reach 250,000 euro: if each of the addressees on this list would pledge 55 euro (70 USD), Bouvet 2016 would be a fact.

This of course I can neither ask nor expect, it is just a mathematical example of what is required financially.

Another important aspect to me is the transparency and control of funding. Every cent raised for this project will be registered through the non-profit organization 'Peter I - Antarctica Expedition 1994' (renamed 'Antennes zonder Grenzen - Antennes sans Frontières' in 1995). This organization was formed in 1993 by Peter ON6TT, with the goal of transparent account- ability for every cent spent on the 3Y0PI DXpedition ­ visible to the entire expedition team. Good accounts make good friends!

You will notice further below what my intentions are in regard to QSLing: I want people to be able to receive bureau cards, get instant LoTW, e-QSL and Club Log confirmation. This is important to me: I don't want youngsters and less fortunate radio hams having to pay for a QSO with Bouvet. Call me idealistic/philanthropic/ideological, but it does indeed matter to me.

With the upcoming of the 3Y0F-group, many of you may decide to put your bets on that project. However, in the event that the UN7PCZ-group withdraws its plans (it wouldn't be the first time a major DXpedition is cancelled), my Bouvet project will probably be the only one in many years to come.

Here is an excerpt of the operational plan:
- projected number of QSOs: 100,000
- QSL: bureau, direct, OQRS, in the way people want it
- log: daily uploads to LoTW, Club Log, e-QSL through proper satellite link
- all HF bands CW/SSB + RTTY on 2 or 3 bands
- antennas: verticals/inv-V's in various constellations and inv-L's will be the only manageable type of antennas that won't break down on Bouvet ­ with sufficient spares brought along
- radios and amps: I will take what I am comfortable with, well proven and sturdy radios and amps, three of each device
- 24/7 operation during 3 months (with adequate rest periods), mitigating the impact of the Antarctic black-outs known from past expeditions of shorter duration
- operator: one
- I already have several offers from QSL-managers for (free) QSLing (a decision on what to ask for OQRS has not been made; it should be as low cost as possible so everybody can enjoy this service)

I would highly appreciate your response within the next few weeks. By the end of this year I will make a decision whether or not to proceed with the project. In the event that I am not able to secure an exclusive sponsor and at the same time the projected sponsoring from within the ham community would be sufficient, it will be a challenging decision.

Regardless if you are able to foresee financial support to this project or not, I would appreciate if a lead or an introduction to a potential exclusive sponsor would be considered. It is still my favorable prospect for funding, and I thank you in advance for any assistance on that front.

For those of you who want to know more about me and my past endeavors:

I hope this mail answers most of your questions upfront. Please have a thorough look at http://www.on4ww.be/bouvet2016.html , I believe you will notice that the project is well thought through.

Should you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to ask.

Thank you for your time and kind consideration.

73 de Mark / ON4WW

Please only use the bouvet2016@telenet.be e-mail address in regard to the Bouvet Island project. Thank you in advance.

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