DXØDX Spratly Islands 2012

Latest News

noreply@blogger.com (VK3FGRC) — Sat, 24 Sep 2011 15:56:00 PDT

DX0DX April 2012 has been cancelled for the foreseeable future.

Chris VK3FY has advised the Ham Radio community the following;

Due to the situation in the South China Seas which has been escalating over the past months I have decided to cancel the 2012 activation.

With this in mind and having a responsibility of duty of care for the operators I have decided that the risks out-way the hobby and hence with the notion of safety first above all else I have decided to put the dx-pedition off for the foreseeable future.

In relation to to the Jan 2011 attempt the following should be noted. This has been an extremely costly expedition to attempt, and the team hopes that each foundation sponsor/club, understands that due to the extremely high costs of the Jan 2011 attempt that the amounts of refunds to be sent to each club/foundation and the team maybe be less than the amount contributed.

The Plan has been put the Team.

Please note that only posts on www.dx0dx.net are the official posts for DX0DX.

noreply@blogger.com (South Pacific Contest Club) — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 10:45:00 PST

DXØDX LATEST

The DXØDX mission to the Spratly’s has been postponed to April 2012, following the initial expedition attempt in January this year.

Team Leader Chris Dimitrijevic VK3FY said he was determined to recover as much of the costs as possible to put things right for all the Team members, Sponsors, organisations and individuals involved.

"I have been thinking very long and hard about the Spratly's and to put DXØDX off until next year will allow me time to clean up the situation from the first attempt"

The DX-entity was to have been activated from 6 January 2011 until 1 February 2011.

"It's better to concentrate on getting the best value for the assets so that I can recover the best return for the operators", said Chris VK3FY.

"I will inform the DX Community and also the generous DX Foundations of the decision"

"But I need to put things right for the operators that put their faith in me. That is of paramount importance at this time. Ongoing efforts are being made towards selling the assets"

April is by far the best month for a DX expedition to Thitu Island in the Spratly's because the seas are far calmer for a sea voyage.

Apologies are made by Chris VK3FY to the DX community for the changes that have been outside his control.

Earlier on it was announced that difficulties with logistics and customs were the major problems, but were overcome.

Chris VK3FY has personally undertaken to post the contributions, foundations, and costs on the DXØDX Yahoo group and to foundations by Tuesday 8 March 2011.

- Jim Linton VK3PC, Public Affairs

Spratly Islands (Thitu Island)

noreply@blogger.com (VK3FGRC) — Wed, 12 May 2010 05:59:00 PDT

The Island

Thitu Island (Pagasa in Filipino) is the second largest island in the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea. The island has a landing strip (Rancudo Airfield) and a small harbour.

There are 100 inhabitants, mostly military, fishermen and a weatherman.

A view of the island shows the landing strip apparently covered in sand and taking up a disproportionately large amount of area of the island.

Camp Layout

noreply@blogger.com (South Pacific Contest Club) — Tue, 11 May 2010 14:00:00 PDT

Frequencies

noreply@blogger.com (VK3FGRC) — Tue, 11 May 2010 12:59:00 PDT

Note: EME operations will be utilizing WSJT65.( Moonrise / Moonset only).
Note: While the band remains closed, the 6m station will have a beacon on 50.090MHz.
Note: Listening above 14.225MHz for US General Class.(Operator to advice).

What Mode / Band do you need AS-051 ?

noreply@blogger.com (South Pacific Contest Club) — Tue, 11 May 2010 12:59:00 PDT

Club and Organization Contributors

noreply@blogger.com (South Pacific Contest Club) — Sun, 09 May 2010 12:55:00 PDT

We are pleased to list our contributors, without their help this operation would not be possible.
If your contribution is not shown here, please contact us so we can update this page.
As you might imagine, this DXpedition has a significant undertaking, and much care has been exercised in the planning and operator recruiting. We have 30+ people that are committing about four weeks of their time. More than half of the total cost of this operation will be funded by the operators themselves.
If you would like to contribute to this expedition, below we have provided our Bank, PayPal and Cheque payment options.

Thank you very much

__________________________________________________

International Draft / Telegraphic Transfer Information:

Name: South Pacific Contest Club Inc.

Bank: Commonwealth Bank of Australia.

Swift / BIC Code: CTBAAU2S

BSB No: 063-765

Account No: 1036-6155

Branch: CBA Watergardens

Branch Address:

Shop 52, Watergardens Shopping Centre

399 Melton Hwy

Taylors Lakes, VIC 3038

Australia

* Please complete contribution form

_________________________________________________

PayPal Option

Individual Contributions

noreply@blogger.com (South Pacific Contest Club) — Sun, 09 May 2010 12:54:00 PDT

Would you like to support DXØDX? Click here

These individuals have made contributions to make our DXpedition possible. Thank you so much!

WA6JJB - Brad D Berryhill
N6PSE - Paul S Ewing
DO4DXA - Marc Missalla
N4LZ - Maurice Schietecatte
W4VIC - Vic Culver
N5TY - Ken Knudson
VK2CA - Allan Meredith
VK2HV - Paul Hanna
KG9Z - Scotty Meyer
K7HC - Clay Brown
DJØQN - Mitch Wolfson
K4ESE - Neil M Singletary
VK3FY - Chris Dimitrijevic
AB4IQ - Doyl Pflueger
K3WA - William H Axelrod
VK3FGRC - Peter Dernikos
W3EL - Billy Putnam
SM0IMJ - Hans Johansson
WØZT - Robert P Milbert
N8NN - Albert Garcia
N6AJR - Tom Lish
K7EIE - Patricia Brown
G3LZQ - John Dunnington
VK3VTH - Tony Hambling
DJ8NK - Jan Harders
VK3YP - John Chalkiarakis
W4ZY - Robert Scott
KB3IFH - Randy Dorman
IK5BAF - Marco Luporini
W2LO - Michael Mattes
IZ2AMW - Paolo F Reda
KO6XI - John Chambers
K4ZOT - Glenn Packard
K3SX - Sid Shusterman
W7JY - Pete Lillie
AA6K - Shirley L. Rose
W9DP - David R. Pruitt
W5TCH - James A. White
N8BI - Jack Comert
VA3MO - Norman G. Sanger
W4GHD - G Hilton. Dean
K3UL - Robert Garrett
DK3DUA - Thomas Rudolph
KH6CG - Stan Schwartz
JA5GSG - Ikuko Omura
F5VHJ - Albert Crespo
V51B - Andre Pretorius
PD9DX - Dervin Beldman
WØMHK - Bill Grim
WØRI - Harold P. Smith
DV1/JO7KMB - Mac Kumakura
K8AJS - John Bastin
K9CT - Craig Thompson
W1SKU - Frederick W. Holmes
AD8C - Jay Ryno
VK3EZ - Russell Morton
NIØC - Charles Guenther
K2RDX - John A. Mezak
KB8VAO - Stephen Gocala
UA3FX - Vladimir Katsyuk
WE7K - Tommy Berggren
N2NS - Bob Hervatine
K8LN - John Schaffner
G4IGO - Ken Osborne
KØKT - William Q. Meeker
VK3HJ - Luke A. Steele
DU9RG - Robin U.Go
DV1UD - Dindo G. Garcia
W4HOZ - Noel R. Stowe
CT1HHP - Luciano Melo
VE3FZ - Al Law
W8FIB - Harold T. Ruggles
JA7RQK - Nobuyuki Sasaki
N2LQ - Kenneth Britton
VK3WF - Stjepan Nikolic
K3CB - Owen Wormser
G3SVD - Andy Hewitt
LU1DHM - Ruben Menendez
K9OW - William Pike
W3KL - Dr Jeffrey K. Okamitsu
NØRB - Richard Barnett
MØIKW - Gary Cannon
OE4VIE - Jo Engelbrecht
SP7MOC - Peter Bar
DU1VHY - Roberto S. Vicencio
N3XX - Tim Heger
K3WA - William H. Axelrod
ON8BV - Pol Degosserie
K2MGR - Kurt Stietz
WP3A - Jamie Vazquez
W2MF - Manny Fonseca Jr
K8ME - Dwaine P. Modock
W2QO - Jamie Punderson
JP1EWY - Nobuhisa Hattori
HB9SLO - Bertrand Bladt
KF9AQ - Kevin Graniero
SM2CEW - Peter Sundberg
AIØO - Robert Helmka
N4PSE - James Cast
PY5EW - Andre Berzotti
K6HP - Ed Parsons

NOTE: If you think you should be listed here and can't find your call, click HERE to email us and we'll figure it out!

DXØDX TEAM

noreply@blogger.com (South Pacific Contest Club) — Sun, 09 May 2010 08:47:00 PDT

The activation is taking place in 2012.

VK3FY - Chris Dimitrijevic / TEAM LEADER

VK3FGRC - Peter Dernikos / CO-LEADER / WEBSITE

K3LP - David R. Collingham / STATION/ANTENNA PLANNING COORDINATOR
DV1UD - Dindo G. Garcia / PARA LIAISON OFFICER

VK3FNIK - Nikolaas Dimitrijevic

N6PSE - Paul Ewing

VK2GR - Allan B. Mason

VK2FXGR - Dr Josephine Docherty / TEAM DOCTOR

VK6YS - Wallace "Wally" Gelok

VK3GK - Lee Moyle

SMØMDG - Bjorn Mohr

EA3NT - Christian Cabre

DU9XO - Kaye F. Chaves

4F1OZ - Dr. Edward B. Soriano / TEAM DOCTOR

AH6HY - David A. Flack

IZ7ATN - Simon Gadaleta

K1LZ - Krassimir "Krassy" Petkov

YT1AD - Hranislav "Hrane" Milosevic

F2JD - Gerard Jacot

N6NKT - George T. Willams Jr

RA9USU - Dimitri "Dima" Zhikharev

K7HC - Clay Brown

VU2SWS - Sarla Sharma

GM3POI - Clive Penna

GMØWED - Edmund Holt

GMØRLZ - Colin J. Brown

N6TQS - Douglas Faunt

K1ZM - Jeffrey T. Briggs

I2VGW - Gabriele Villa

YT6W - Mladen Bogdanov

YU1AU - Markovic Milovan

OFF-ISLAND SUPPORT TEAM

VK3PC - Jim Linton / PUBLIC AFFAIRS
VK3FT - Keith L. Proctor / VK LOGISTICS COORDINATOR

W6KK - Charles F. Spetnagel / US LOGISTICS COORDINATOR
N2OO - Bob Schenck / QSL MANAGER

DU SUPPORT TEAM
DU1IVT - Thelma C. Pascua / DU SUPPORT LIAISON
DU1UGZ - Ramon J. Anguilan / DU SUPPORT LIAISON

Team

noreply@blogger.com (VK3FGRC) — Sun, 09 May 2010 08:47:00 PDT

The activation is taking place between 6th - 24th Jan, 2011 and will be made up of three teams.

Team 1 - 6th - 24th Jan, 2011

Team 2 - 6th - 15th Jan, 2011

Team 3 - 15th - 24th Jan, 2011

* Some of DX0DX team that will be continuing on after the 24th Jan till the 1st Febuary 2011 and entering the CQ WW 160M CW Contest are:

*VK3FY - DU8/VK3FY - AUSTRALIA
(Team Leader)

Team 1

Name: Chris Dimitrijevic

Occupation: Communications Project Manager

Licenced Since: 1979

Mode Preference: CW, SSB.

DXpeditions/Other:
VK3FY/DU8, VK3FY/9,

VK2LHI (1983 CQWW SSB M/S Lord Howe Isl), VK9NI, VK3HR.

VK3FGRC - AUSTRALIA

(Co-Leader / Webmaster)
Team 1

Name: Peter Dernikos

Occupation: Company Director

Licenced Since: 2006

Mode Preference: SSB, Digital.

DXpeditions/Other:
VK9NI, VK3HR.

*VK3FT - AUSTRALIA

Team 1

Name: Keith L Proctor

Occupation: Retired Superintendent of Police

Licenced Since: 1988

Mode Preference: SSB

Dxpeditions/Other:
VI5BR, VI5PN, VI3WCP, VK9NI, VK3HR.

N6PSE - USA

Team 3

Name: Paul Ewing

Occupation: IT Director

Licenced Since: 1984

Mode Preference: SSB, RTTY.

DXpeditions/Other:
YI9PSE, SV5/N6PSE, TA/N6PSE, HH/N6PSE, J6/N6PSE,

C6/N6PSE, 8P/N6PSE, KP2/N6PSE, 6Y/N6PSE, 5B4/N6PSE.

DU1EV - PHILIPPINES

Team 1

Name: Eduardo Victor j Valdez

Occupation: Lawyer

Licenced Since: 1994

Mode Preference: CW, SSB.

DXpeditions/Other:

DX0K, DZ1JP, DX0EME,

DX0JP (Support Crew), BS7H (Support Crew)

*VK3FNIK - AUSTRALIA

Team 1

Name: Nikolaas Dimitrijevic

Occupation: Student

Licenced Since: 2006

Mode Preference: SSB

DXpeditions/Other:
VK3HR

VK2GR - AUSTRALIA
Team 1

Name: Allan B Mason

Occupation: Telecommunications Consultant

Licenced Since: 1969

Mode Preference: CW, RTTY.

DXpeditions/Other:
P29CW, VK9NI, VI2BI, H44MA, ZK1GGR.

VK2FXGR - AUSTRALIA

Team 1

Name: Dr. Josephine "Josette" Docherty

Occupation: Medical Doctor

Licenced Since: 2007

Mode Preference: SSB.

DXpeditions/Other:
P29CW, H44MA, ZK1GGR.

SM0MDG - SWEDEN

Team 2

Name: Bjorn Mohr

Occupation: Broadcast Radio Consultant

Licenced Since: 1982

Mode Preference: SSB, CW.

DXpeditions/Other:
SE�X-OH0/SM0MDG(2000-6) 5X2Q(2004) CU2/SM0MDG(1999-2005)

OY/SM0MDG(2005) JW/SM0MDG(2009) MS0INT(2010)

EA3NT - SPAIN
Team 2

Name: Christian Cabre

Occupation: Ships Agent

Licenced Since: 1997

Mode Preference: CW, SSB, RTTY.

DXpeditions/Other:
7Q7DX (2002) - 3D2EA (2004) - A35DX (2004) - T20DX (2004) - ZK3DX (2004) - OJ�/EC3ADC (2006) - 4O/EC3ADC (2007) - EG3MED (2007) - EE1MI (EU-142 2008) - V88/EA3NT (2009) - XX9TET (2009) - EG3FI (EU-078 2009) - AM1M (EU-142 2009) - 9H3NT (2009) - MS�INT (2010)

DV9X0 - PHILIPPINES

Team 1

Name: Kaye F Chaves

Occupation: Businessman

Licenced Since: 1986

Mode Preference: SSB

DXpeditions/Other:

DV1UD - PHILIPPINES
Team 1

Name: Dindo G Garcia

Occupation: Communications & IT

Licenced Since: 2000

Mode Preference: SSB & Digital

DXpeditions/Other:

4F1OZ - PHILIPPINES
Team 3

Name: Dr. Edward B Soriano

Occupation: Medical Doctor

Licenced Since: 1994

Mode Preference: SSB, RTTY.

DXpeditions/Other:
4H2B, 4H1C, 4G2F, DX0K.

VK6YS - AUSTRALIA

Team 1

Name: Wallace "Wally" M Gelok

Occupation: Health Safety and Environment Manager

Offshore Pipeline and Construction

Licenced Since: 1976

Mode Preference: CW, SSB, DIGITAL.
DXpeditions/Other:
Browse Island OC-234, Breaksea Isl OC-243,

Dirk Hartog Isl OC-206,Cockatoo and Pasco Isl OC-071, Viney Isl OC-266,
Cheyne Isl OC-193, Rottnest Isl OC-164, Houtmans Abrolhous OC-211.

AH6HY - HAWAII
Team 3

Name: David A Flack

Occupation: Aviation Industry

Licenced Since: 1982

Mode Preference: SSB

DXpeditions/Other:
YI9PSE, 7J3AQB/4, 8J4JET, 8N�WOG, K8T & K8O (KH8), FO�FLA, AH6HY/AH8, AH6HY/KL7, VP5/AH6HY, 5W�DF, VP2V/AH6HY, V4/AH6HY, PJ5/AH6HY.

K3LP - USA
(Station Layout Co-ordinator)
Team 1

Name: David R Collingham
Occupation: Company Executive
Licenced Since: 1975
Mode Preference: CW, SSB.
Dxpeditions/Other:
YI9PSE, VE3/K3LP, P40DC, 5W5LP, K3LP/KH8/S, N8S (Swains Is.), T33C & T33LP, T30LP, KH6/K3LP & KH6BB, KL7/K3LP, NH8/K3LP,VU4AN/VU3RWO, VU3RWO, 8P9R & 8P9LP, 5A7A, 3D2DC, FS5/K3LP, FS5UQ & FS5KA, PJ7/K3LP, J6R & J69LP, VP5LP & VP5/K3LP, A4/K3LP, A61AJ, A61AM & A61AN, LA9/K3LP, DK0/K3LP, GM4/AA6DC, G0/AA6DC, F/K3LP, 5H3LP, 6Y3LP,K3LP/KP5 (Desecho Is.), KP2/K3LP, KP4/K3LP, ON4/K3LP, XE2/K3LP, PA0/K3LP, KG4LP and TI3/K3LP.

IZ7ATN - ITALY

Team 2

Name: Simon Gadaleta

Occupation: Telecommunications
Licenced Since: 1996
Mode Preference: SSB
DXpeditions/Other:
3V, 5Z, 7P, 8Q, 9A, CT3, D4, E4, IB0, IJ7, IL7, LZ, OA, S7, SV8, SV9, TA, TI9, YO, YT, ZA, ZD9 from more than 50 islands in 31 IOTA references.

*K1LZ - USA

Team 3

Name: Krassimir "Krassy" Petkov

Occupation: Company Director

Licenced Since: 1969

Mode Preference: CW, SSB.

DXpeditions/Other:

S6A, V26B, N8S, JT1LZ, LZ1SA, UA9S, YU9ZL, KH6/K1LZ, KH8/K1LZ, 5W5LZ/5W3LP, 8P9R, 8P9LZ, 6Y1L, VP5/K1LZ, VP5B, P4�HQ, FS/K1LZ, FS5KA, PJ7/K1LZ, KP4/K1LZ, PT5E, ZX�F, YI9PSE.

YT1AD - SERBIA

Team 3

Name: Hranislav "Hrane" Milosevic

Occupation: Businessman

Licenced Since: 1969

Mode Preference: CW, SSB.

DXpeditions/Other:
5A1A, YU1OIQ, YU1TF, YU1TF/6, YU5AD, YT1AD, YT5A, Z31AD, Z32A, UT1UD, RV7AD, RV7AD/9, RV7AD/UI8, ER�A, LA/YT1AD, OH/YT1AD, 4X/YT1AD, 8Q7AD, S79A, 6W/YU5AD, 6W7S, TS8A, TS3A, 3V3B, 3V5A, 3V6T, 3V7A, J68DA, V26AS, V29AD, 9Y/YT1AD, YS9/YT1AD, HU1A, HU4X, HU4A, ZV7A, KB9WRP, N9YU, A35AD, YJ2AD, 3D2AD, 3D2CI, 3D2CY, 3D2C, T25A, T3�M, T33I, T32W, K1B, S�5X, N8S.

F2JD - FRANCE
Team 2

Name: Gerard Jacot
Occupation: Field Engineer
Licenced Since: 1968
Mode Preference: CW, SSB, RTTY

DXpeditions/Other:
FB8XX, VK�HM, ZD8JD, F2JD/5U7, F2JD/FC, F2JD/3A, TU4AU, TR8JD, TR0AB, FY0HVL, FM0HVL, FG0HVL, FG0HVL/FS, FP/F2JD, op at BY1PK, F2JD/A6, TG9/F2JD, F2JD/J6L, F2JD/J7, J79JD, FG/F2JD, EA/F2JD, ZB2/F2JD, F2JD/HR5,1,3,6, F2JD/CE3/6/7, op at CE0ZZZ, CE0/F2JD, 5V7JG, 5Z4JD, 5Z4IOTA, HK3/G0SHN ,HK0/G�SHN, S79JD, 5R8EN, HP1XBI, HK3JBR,op at 5K8T, PY2ZDX, PY�F/PY2ZDX, FM/F2JD, DU1/6/G�SHN ,HB0/F2JD, CE0Z, XR9A, CE9/F2JD, 3Y0X, XT2C, J5C.

N6NKT - USA
Team 3

Name: George T Williams, JR
Occupation: Snr Test Engineer
Licenced Since: 1987
Mode Preference: SSB, RTTY
DXpeditions/Other:
Contesting

RA9USU - RUSSIA

Team 3

Name: Dmitri "Dima" Zhikharev

Occupation: Communication

Licenced Since: 1983

Mode Preference: CW, SSB

DXpeditions/Other:

3V6T, 3V8BB, 4U1UN, 4U1WB, 4U60UN, 5A1A, 5A7A, 5B/AJ2O, 6Y1LZ, AJ2O, DL/N2OW, FS/N2OW, FS5KA, K1TTT, PJ7/N2OW, R100R, RB6F/RA9USU, RK3AWL, RL3A, RT8T, RU3A, RZ3AZO, SU8DRM, SU0ARA, TS6A, TS9A, UA9UWM.

K7HC - USA

Team 1

Name: Clay Brown

Occupation: Retired

Licenced Since: 1957

Mode Preference: SSB, CW, DIGITAL

DXpeditions/Other:

V31HC, T31AB, T30BR

VU2SWS - INDIA

Team 2

Name: Sarla Sharma

Occupation: Homemaker

Licenced Since: 1996

Mode Preference: SSB, DIGITAL

DXpeditions/Other:

AT0BI, AT0AI, VU7LD

GM3POI - SCOTLAND

Team 2

Name: Clive Penna

Occupation: Retired Forensic Audio Expert

Licenced Since: 1961

Mode Preference: CW, SSB.

DXpeditions/Other:

3B7C

GM0WED - SCOTLAND

Team 2

Name: Edmund Holt

Occupation: Business Owner

Licenced Since: 1994

Mode Preference: CW, SSB, Digital

DXpeditions/Other:
GS8R, Contesting.

GM0RLZ - SCOTLAND

Team 2

Name: Colin J Brown

Occupation: Radiographer

Licenced Since: 1989

Mode Preference: SSB

DXpeditions/Other:

ZC4CB 2003, IOTA contest with GM7V contesting with GM5A,

GM2T and team member of GB5HQ & GR2HQ

N6TQS - USA

Team 1

Name: Douglas Faunt
Occupation: Retired
Licenced Since:
Mode Preference: RTTY
DXpeditions/Other:
MD0BPI, FO0AAA, GB0SA, 3D2CY, ZF2QS, XR0X, K1B, VP6DIA,
S05X, TZ6RD, T33C, CY9SS, VU4AN, VU7RG, and N8S.

*K1ZM - USA

Team 1

Name: Jeffrey T Briggs
Occupation: Retired Banker
Licenced Since: 1958
Mode Preference: CW, SSB
DXpeditions/Other:
A61AJ, ZX0F, ZX5J, NP4A, KP4EAJ, ZL3GQ

RZ9UN - RUSSIA

Team 3

Name: Sergey L Ivannikov

Occupation: Company Director

Licenced Since: 1983

Mode Preference: SSB, CW

DXpeditions/Other:

P3A

VK3GK - AUSTRALIA

Team 2

Name: Lee Moyle
Occupation: Company Director
Licenced Since: 1980
Mode Preference: SSB, CW
DXpeditions/Other:

I2VGW - ITALY
Team 3

Name: Gabriele Villa
Occupation: Journalist, Special Correspondent.
Licenced Since: 1974
Mode Preference: SSB, DIGITAL
DXpeditions/Other:
VK9NR, VK5ASK, ID9/I2VGW, IH9/I2VGW, IG9/I2VGW
9A/I2VGW, IE9/I2VGW, TK/I2VGW, TS7C, TM7CC, IS0R.

*JT1CO - MONGOLIA

Team 1

Name: Choigonjav "Chuck" Chadraabal

Occupation:

Licenced Since:

Mode Preference:

Dxpeditions/Other:

*PY5EG - BRAZIL

Team 1

Name: Atilano Oms
Occupation:
Licenced Since:
Mode Preference:
DXpeditions/Other:

YT6W - SERBIA

Team 1

Name: Mladen BogdanovOccupation:

Licenced Since:

Mode Preference:

DXpeditions/Other:

YU1AU - SERBIA

Team 1

Name: Markovic Milovan

Occupation:

Licenced Since:

Mode Preference:

DXpeditions/Other:

VK3PC - AUSTRALIA
PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Jim Linton
Email

W6KK - USA

US LOGISTICS COORDINATOR

Charles Spetnagel

Pilots

noreply@blogger.com (South Pacific Contest Club) — Sun, 09 May 2010 08:46:00 PDT

WEST COAST USA PILOT

W6QE - MILTON

EMAIL

EAST COAST USA PILOT

AI2Q - ALEX

EMAIL

EU PILOTS

SV9GPV - GEORGE SV9CVY - MICHAEL

EMAIL

ASIA PILOT

JA1HGY - NAO

EMAIL

VK -ZL PILOT

VK2IR - TOMMY

EMAIL

DU - PILOT

DU1IVT - THELMA
EMAIL

Beam Headings

noreply@blogger.com (VK3FGRC) — Sun, 09 May 2010 07:04:00 PDT

Photos & Videos

noreply@blogger.com (South Pacific Contest Club) — Sun, 09 May 2010 05:00:00 PDT

Local Weather

noreply@blogger.com (VK3FGRC) — Sun, 09 May 2010 04:59:00 PDT

Contact Us

noreply@blogger.com (South Pacific Contest Club) — Sun, 09 May 2010 04:06:00 PDT

If you would like to get in touch with us email.

DX0DX@DX0DX.NET

Please remember that we will not be able to access any email while on the island. Please direct all emails to our pilots

DX0DX License Issued

noreply@blogger.com (South Pacific Contest Club) — Sun, 09 May 2010 01:44:00 PDT

Support DX0DX Spratly Islands 2011

noreply@blogger.com (VK3FGRC) — Sun, 09 May 2010 01:43:00 PDT

Individual Contribution Fund Information

As you might imagine, DXpeditions have a significant undertaking and much care has been exercised in the planning. The team are committing about three weeks of their time and have written personal checks in order to make this happen.

Note: PayPal Users the Donate button will direct you to our PayPal page, there you can enter the amount you wish to contribute. Don't forget your callsign and name.
Note: We have also provided our bank details if contributors would like to forward their support by these means.
Note: Cheques to be made out to "South Pacific Contest Club Inc".

Thank you

________________________________________

PayPal Option

International Draft / Telegraphic Transfer:

Name: South Pacific Contest Club Inc.
Bank: Commonwealth Bank of Australia.
Swift / BIC Code: CTBAAU2S
BSB No: 063-765
Account No: 1036-6155
Branch: CBA Watergardens
Branch Address: Shop 52, Watergardens Shopping Centre
                          399 Melton Hwy
                          Taylors Lakes, VIC 3038
                          Australia

Cheque Option:
Contributions by Cheque by individuals are to be made to "South Pacific Contest Club Inc" and sent to the address below.

Postal Address:
South Pacific Contest Club Inc
PO Box 599
Ashburton, VIC 3147
AUSTRALIA

Equipment / Antennas

noreply@blogger.com (VK3FGRC) — Sat, 08 May 2010 21:32:00 PDT

Radios
11 x ICOM IC-7600
1 x ICOM IC-910H
Amplifiers
4 x ACOM
7 x OM Power
1 x Commander

2 x Thamway
1 x 23cm (150w) Module
Station Antennas

1 x V160E
160m Phased Verticals (128 Radials)
2 x 4 Sq for 80 Meters
2 x 4 Sq for 40 Meters
1 x 4 Sq for 20 Meters
3 x 3 Ele Mosley TA-33-M (20,15,10 Meters)
3 x 3 Ele Mosley TW-33-XL (30,17,12 Meters)
2 x 4 Ele Mono 20M (Hy-Gain 204BA)
1 x SteppIR 2 Element Beam
4 x SteppIR BigIR Vertical
1 x M2inc 6M7 (6m)
1 x M2inc 2M-9SSB (2m)
1 x M2inc 432-9WL (70cm)
1 x M2inc 23CM-22EZA (23cm)
2 x Hi-Z 4 Sq Receiving Antennas
6 x Dx Engineering Wire Beverage System
Masts
10 x Spiderbeam Fiberglass Pole 18m (60ft)
14 x Spiderbeam Fiberglass Pole 12m (40ft)
8 x Rohn H20
1 x Rohn H50
120 x GRP-Mast Segments
Headsets/Foot Switch
12 x Heil Proset Plus
12 x Heil Foot Switch
Interfaces
12 x Microham Micro Keyer II
Logging Program
N1MM
Laptops
12 x R52 IBM ThinkPad
Generators
6 x Honda EU6500isa
2 x Honeywell HW7000EL
Rotators
3 x Yaesu G-1000
1 x Yaesu G-5500
Filters
W3NQN Bandpass Filters

QSL Information

noreply@blogger.com (VK3FGRC) — Sat, 08 May 2010 13:00:00 PDT

QSL Manager

Bob Schenck, N2OO
CLICK HERE

With support from the members of the

Corporate Sponsors

noreply@blogger.com (VK3FGRC) — Sat, 08 May 2010 12:56:00 PDT

These fine companies have contributed equipment, services to make our DXpedition possible. Please give them your support!

ICOM America Inc

ACOM International

THAMWAY Corp

ICOM Australia Inc

Disclaimer

noreply@blogger.com (South Pacific Contest Club) — Sat, 01 May 2010 04:04:00 PDT

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News/Updates

noreply@blogger.com (South Pacific Contest Club) — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 05:00:00 PST

DXØDX POSTPONEMENT

Jan. 12, 2011 – 0506 GMT

To the DX Community at large - It’s with regret that as Team Leader, I have to announce the postponement of the DXØDX Spratly Islands DXpedition 2011, due to circumstances beyond the control of the DXØDX Team.

To the DX Community at large - It’s with regret that as Team Leader, I have to announce the postponement of the DXØDX Spratly Islands DXpedition 2011, due to circumstances beyond the control of the DXØDX Team.

Our situation began when our original mode of transport by ship was terminally damaged back in late October 2010. We then went to our contingency plan which was to fly in, as there were no ships deemed to be safe and provided facilities for safe passage to Pag-Asa, available.

We hand landing permission and booked the correct sized aircraft and with the security cleared pilots. To simplify it, there was conflicting agreements and hence the aircraft could not get approval of its flight plan.

The bottom line is this. We have a licence, we have authority to land via ship, hence when the ship becomes available in the near future, it is my intention to activate this entity in 2011.

The team has worked tirelessly to remove the hurdles that were placed before the team in the last minute.

As time was running out for this window of opportunity, and before more operators become stuck here in Palawan, the decision was made to postpone the activation.

A call was placed to PARA advising them that a postponement of the activation would be sought to a date in in the near future, where the activation will look at again taking place.

All equipment will need to be exported out of Philippines to comply with current Philippine Customs Law in which it was brought into the country.

The plan is to be re-assessed so the current operators have the first opportunity to be on this future trip.

Once more information is at hand, I will advise the DX Community.

Regards
Chris de VK3FY
Team Leader DXØDX
7th January 2011

To the DX Community,

We are still in Palawan, VK3FY has been working very hard to secure final approvals over in Manila the entire week.

We now have our gear out of customs and are ready to load the container with provisions etc.

The toughest obstacle remaining is the final approval to make the trip, and we still do not know how long this may take beforea decision is rendered.

Logistics for some is a minor issue as many of us must check out of the current hotel and go to another tomorrow.

Chris VK3FY our team leader is arrving late morning and we will call a team meeting to adjust our schedule keying off any approval date which may be received.

Since the boat will take 2 days to reach the island, and we can fly there in 1 hour by plane, we cannot leave Palawan until we know our food and water is safely on Pagasa.

So as it stands

1. Get Approval 2. Load Boat (1 day) 3. Boat Transit (2 days) 4. Fly to Pagasa. 5. Setup Camps (2 days).

Basically, we are looking at 5-6 days from receipt of approval until activation.

Wish I had more definitive (and better news) news but that's where we are and Chris wanted us to keep "the deserving" in the loop as best as we can.

That is all at the moment, we will try our best to keep everybody updated on this situation.

DX0DX Team

26th November 2010

The Spratlys DXpedition gets wings

With just over 40 days to go before the month-long DX0DX DXpedition, comes news that the operators will now fly to Thitu (Pag-Asa) island rather than taking a 30 hour plus trip by sea.

Team Leader, Chris Dimitrijevic VK3FY & DU8/VK3FY said while flying had been an option in early planning, when the boat that would have ferried the operators was damaged in heavy sea and needing substantial repairs, aviation transport to and from the island became available.

The charter of a twin-engined aircraft adds to the expense of the DXpedition and the personal costs for all taking part in it. Smaller sea transport will still be used to get equipment and supplies to the island.

The 37 operators from 15 countries are ready to arrive and take part in three teams to put DX0DX on air from 6 January to 1 February 2011, including the CQ World Wide 160m CW Contest. The special DX entity The Spratlys Islands (IOTA AS-051) will have a big presence on all bands.

Chris VK3FY & DU8/VK3FY said, ‘There is a real excitement within the amateur radio community about this particular DXpedition, and most of the operators just can't wait to be part of action.

It is much more than activating a rare DX spot. There is no doctor or health service on the island. As part of a humanitarian contribution, two DXpedition members who are doctors, Josette Docherty VK2FXGR and Edward Soriano 4F1OZ, will provide medical checks to the island's residents.’

It was announced today that Amateur Radio Victoria VK3WI had voted to make a substantial donation directly to purchase medical supplies for use as part of the humanitarian effort.

In other news, Chris Dimitrijevic VK3FY & DU8/VK3FY announced that for the 160m band DX0DX will have two 65 foot Top Hat phased verticals and a back-up Titanex V1602E antenna.

“The DXpedition will be doing its utmost to satisfy the demand for contacts on the Top Band, as demonstrated by it having the highest sought after rating in the DX0DX website online survey,” he said.

All equipment for the DXpedition will have arrived in The Philippines. Earlier it was reported how eight HF Yagi antennas had been pre-assembled and tuned, ready for construction and erection on the island.

The Philippine Amateur Radio Association (PARA) has appointed DX0DX team member, Dindo Garcia DV1UD, as the PARA liaison person to handle all Bureau of Customs requirements.

Thank you to the generous corporate sponsorship that makes the DXpedition possible by providing equipment and other needs, plus funding support from DX groups, clubs, and individual radio amateurs.

For more information about the DXpedition please check out the www.dx0dx.net website which has just been extensively updated.

Jim Linton VK3PC, Public Affairs

4th November 2010

Going to plan: The Spratlys Islands DXpedition 6 January to 1 Feb 2011

A recent meeting chaired by the DX0DX DXpedition Team Leader, Chris Dimitrijevic reviewed progress achieved so far with only 60 days to go until special DX entity The Spratlys Islands (IOTA AS-051) hits the amateur bands.

The meeting was attended by the DX0DX Co-Leader and Webmaster Peter Dernikos VK3FGRC, Public Affairs Officer Jim Linton VK3PC, and team members Keith Proctor VK3FT, Lee Moyle VK3GK and Nik Dimitrijevic VK3FNIK.

It heard that the pre-assembly, erection and tuning of eight HF yagi antennas in Fontana California went extremely well with the antennas tuned as per instructions to their allotted bands.

The antennas are three TW-33-XL 30-17-12m band 3-element tri-banders, three TA-33-M 20-15-10m 3-element tri-banders, and two 4-element mono-banders for 20m.

Each was then partly disassembled breaking down into four parts for allow for quick installation once they reach the island. Masts, rotators, masts and cabling have all been finalised.

Other main equipment includes ten ICOM IC7600 transceivers (four each for CW and SSB, plus two on digital modes), an IC9100 (6m, 2m, 70cm & 23cm), eight generators with associated electromagnetic interference (EMI) filters, 11 laptop computers, four SteppIR Verticals, 1x 2 element SteppIR Yagi, 2x 80m 4sq's, 2x 40m 4sq's, 6x OM Power OM3500HF amplifeirs, 3x ACOM1000 amplifies, 1x OM Power OM2006 6m amplifier, 1x ACOM 1010 Amplifier, 2x Thamway amplifiers, 1x Commander 144MHz Amplifier, headsets, foot switches and interfaces.

Chris VK3FY & DU8/VK3FY said, "Well done to the Station & Planning Co-ordinator David Collingham K3LP for organising and attending the Pre-Assembly Gathering and also DXpedition logistics coordinator Charles Spetnagel W6KK for his understanding in having all the equipment dispatched to his QTH and also being part of the Pre-Assembly Gathering.”

Special thanks for their hands-on contribution in this important phase of the exercise goes to DX0DX Team Leader Chris Dimitrijevic VK3FY, Nik Dimitrijevic VK3FNIK, Arnie Shatz N6HC, Bob Grimmick N6OX, West Coast Pilot Milt Garb W6QE, Dennis Juniper N7DDU, Byron Hunsaker NF6T and Richard Briano, who all attended the Pre-Assembly and Container loading gathering in Fontana, California over the weekend of 30-31 October.

The Philippine Amateur Radio Association (PARA) has appointed DX0DX team member, Dindo Garcia DV1UD, as the PARA liaison person to handle all in coming equipment shipments, and liaise with the Bureau of Customs in respect of all equipment for the DXpedition.

Chris VK3FY & DU8/VK3FY said, “A new high tide photographic survey commissioned by the DXpedition has confirmed that the island's coastline and available beach has dramatically changed from what was previously known, due to rising sea levels and sea erosion.

“This has meant a change in some aspects of the location of antennas and operating camps, but being fully aware in advance has enabled David Collingham K3LP the Station Layout Coordinator and other DX0DX Team members to ensure it does not have a significant impact of the DXpedition plans.”

The four operating camps will use hand-held VHF/UHF transceivers, kindly provided by ICOM Amateur, for intercommunication.

The meeting also had its lighter moments in discussing the island's resident goats and whether they could take a liking to coax cable, and if a diet high in vitamin B12-rich Marmite might ward off mosquitoes.

In recent hours Chris VK3FY has been informed that the boat hired to transport the team and its supplies to Thitu Island is now in need of extensive repair following damage sustained in very rough weather.

“The official advice received is that it is doubtful repairs can be made before the team is due on the island. While this is a disappointment, with it occurring two months out from the DXpedition sufficient time remains to source a replacement vessel,” he said.

The excitement continues about this major DXpedition that will see more than 37 radio amateurs from 15 Nations, who have made their individual substantial financial commitment to be part of the DX0DX operating team over the four weeks. As part of a humanitarian contribution, two doctors, Josette Docherty VK2FXGR and Edward Soriano 4F1OZ are also to provide medical checks to the island's residents.

In another development, Chris VK3FY & DU8/VK3FY said that the DXpedition is to be extended to accommodate the CQ World Wide 160m CW Contest. The Municipality of Kalayaan has agreed to the time extension.

He said, while DX0DX was to go QRT on 24 January, a couple of individual and keen members have asked if they could stay on air for that contest when ends at 2200 UTC Sunday 30 January. This will now extend DX0DX activation to 1 Feb 2011.

“This limited extension was carefully considered and agreed in light of strong interest from Top Band contesters and the 160m band being the highest sought after in the DX0DX website online survey.”

The generous corporate sponsorship that makes the DXpedition possible by providing equipment and other needs, plus funding support from DX groups, clubs, and individual radio amateurs which is still being received. All are gratefully acknowledged on the DX0DX website.

- Jim Linton VK3PC, Public Affairs

29th September 2010

Countdown to Spratly Islands

With 100 days to go before DX0DX hits the ham bands there is mounting interest in making contact with the DX Special Entity, The Spratlys, over three weeks 6-24 January 2011.

DXpedition Team Leader, Chris Dimitrijevic VK3FY - DU8/VK3FY said "With equipment starting to arrive in the Philippines including the Titanex V160E vertical the excitement is mounting.

"Currently 31 operators are confirmed while a number of positions are still available should any DX operator wish to join the team.

"The authority given to the DXpedition permits a maximum of 30 operators on the island at the same time. With the DXpeditioners assigned to three separate groups on the island for different durations, the total numbers can exceed 30."

While set to maximise the QSOs the DXpedition includes medical doctors who are also making a humanitarian contribution to the island. This is acknowledged in a 'Certificate of prior approval and consent' from the Municipality of Kalayaan, dated 14 September setting out the duration and nature of the DX0DX operation.

It is signed by the Mayor Eugenio B. Bito-Onon Jr, who is very welcoming of the DXpedition and states on the Certificate "The Municipality of Kalayaan is also in favor of the humanitarian medical mission, to provide medical checkup of all the island's inhabitants."

In other news, ICOM has announced that DX0DX will have the new IC-9100 available for the VHF/UHF station. It will be fitted with a UX-9100 23cm module. This transceiver is to be coupled to M2inc yagi's on 6m, 2m, 70cm & 23cm. For the sought after 6m band the antenna is the 6m7 while the 2m radiator is the 2m9ssb. These two bands will supported by the OM2006 6m amplifier and 2m with a Commander 1kW amplifier.

Also there will be beverage complete systems supplied by HiZ Antennas, which Chris VK3FY - DU8/VK3FY said, "Should provide great ears for the low bands, which is an area DX0DX will be concentrating on." An interesting development is that some of the DXpeditioners have been downsizing through weight loss, their destination has also gotten smaller in recent years under the ravages of sea erosion.

The team, and in particular the DX0DX Station Layout Coordinator David Collingham K3LP, is awaiting the results of a new photographic high-tide survey of the latest beach conditions where the various operating camps are to be relocated.

Chris VK3FY - DU8/VK3FY said a dozen operators are tasked as an advance crew with setting up four camps on the island to enable DX0DX to have a big presence on the bands. The CW camp is at the northern edge of the island while SSB operating will be in the south, with the other two being dedicated for RTTY/Digital and VHF/UHF.

The DX0DX.Net website online survey, after 4,600 votes, currently has 160m as the most desired band for this top forty wanted DX entity. A TITANEX V160E vertical with a minimum of 32 radials will be erected for that band right on the beach. The intended frequencies are 1824 (CW) and 1840 (SSB). The 80m band is also highly sought and CW (3504) and SSB (3790) signals on that band will radiated from two independent 4-square antenna arrays.

The other HF bands, including the WARC '79 allocations, are fairly even in the online survey. The 6m band has a relatively strong demand and a 7-element beam is to be used for contacts on the magic band. In relation to the preferred modes, the survey has CW remaining in the highest demand. This is of no surprise to the operators assigned to the CW camp.

With 1,400 votes cast so far, SSB and RTTY a steady in second and third place respectively, with PSK31 attracting 7% of the votes which although low will still yield thousands of contacts.

The recently announced addition of moon bounce to DX0DX also has the EME exponents thinking about the possibilities.

Funding support and individual contributions towards this major DXpedition continue to arrive and are gratefully acknowledged on the website.

Jim Linton VK3PC Public Affairs

6th September 2010

Moon bounce for DX0DX The Spratlys DXpedition 2011

Sponsorship and other support continues to grow.

DXpedition Team Leader, Chris Dimitrijevic VK3FY has announced that Earth-Moon-Earth (EME) contacts are planned as part of the DX0DX activation of The Spratlys.

Also advised is latest external funding support that has been confirmed for the DXpedition that will involve some 30 radio amateurs in three teams on Thitu Island, 6-24 January 2011.

In the latest news, experienced EME contester and DXpeditioner, Colin Brown GM0RLZ will be active on both 6m and 2m.

Chris VK3FY said, "We're delighted to have Colin GM0RLZ join DX0DX so it can be propagated by bouncing signals off the lunar surface.

"He has filled a vacancy on DXpedition Team 2 (6-15 January) and has the role of coordinating any requests for moon-rise and moon-set contact attempts."

The equipment proposed is an ICOM IC-9100 transceiver, OM2006 6m amplifier, Commander 2m amplifier, with antennas being a 6M7 for 6m and 2M9 on 2m, both by M2 inc.

Chris VK3FY said all other plans for the DXpedition are continuing satisfactorily and with 120 days to go there's a lot of work yet to be done.

He said, "Support for DX0DX is growing steadily and thank you to those who have already given financially or in other ways towards this major undertaking."

The Team acknowledges funding it has from NCDXF, EUDXF, CDXC (Chiltern DX Club), East Iowa DX Association, GMDX Group, Western Washington DX Club W7DX and the Helenic Amateur Radio Association of Australia Inc.

Other financial support has been received from individual radio amateurs:

Brad WA6JJB, Paul N6PSE, Marc DO4DXA, Maurice N4LZ, Vic W4VIC, Ken N5TY,Allan VK2CA, Paul VK2HV, Scotty KG9Z, Clay K7HC, Mitch DJ0QN, Neill K4ESE, Doyl AB4IQ, William K3WA. Billy W3EL, Hans SM0IMJ, Robert W0ZT, Albert N8NN, Tom N6AJR, Patricia K7EIE, John G3LZQ, and Tony VK3VTH.

The corporate sponsors to date are:

ACOM International

Ham Radio Outlet

Heil Sound

ICOM America

ICOM Australia

Kabayan Online Grocery

M2 antenna systems

microHAM

Mosley

OM-Power

QRO Communications

Rohn Products

SteppIR

Spiderbeam

THAMWAY Corp

The RF Connection

Titanex

WX0B Array Systems

Support has also been given by the IARU Region 3 member society Philippine Amateur Radio Association (PARA), DXWORLD, The Daily DX and ClubLog.

6th August 2010

Only 150 days to go before the scheduled QRV of the multi-operator DXpedition on Thitu Island in the Spratlys 6-24 January 2011 and more substantial progress has been achieved.

The Philippines National Telecommunications Commission has issued the DX0DX licence and DXpedition Team Leader Chris Dimitrijevic VK3FY and DU8/VK3FY confirms that the required documentation is filed with the DXCC Advisory Committee.

Formal DXCC accreditation is expected soon after proof is electronically submitted that operators have reached the island and DX0DX is on air. It was earlier announced that

Bob Schenck N2OO has been appointed the QSL manager.

Among the current and growing list of corporate sponsors are ICOM America which is providing ten top-line IC7600 transceivers & a iC-9100 Transceiver, Amplifiers from Acom International, OM Power and THAMWAY Corp. Antennas from SteppIR, Spiderbeam and Mosley- Electronics. Bandpass Filters from WX0B Array Solutions, Masts from Rohn Products. Ham Radio Outlet, Head-sets from Heil Sound, Feeders The RF Connection.

Decisions are now being finalised on the roles needed for the DXpedition. The logistical co-ordination of equipment from sponsors is being headed by Charles W6KK where we are basing our shipments.

The massive logistics exercise to get the equipment, supplies and operators shipped to Thitu Island has received confirmation that the boat to be used is undergoing its annual dry-dock maintenance and certification.

Other expertise within the team is being used to plan rostering, logging and the many different tasks required to make it a success.

The team’s medical doctors are ready to assist should anyone become unwell, and to also outreach to the island’s residents as part of the DXpedition’s humanitarian, health and welfare contribution.

It has also been learnt that some of the 30 operators lined up for the DXpedition are using it as a personal incentive to lose some body weight as they prepare for their stay on the island.

This will be especially helpful for those wishing to frequently walk between four dedicated operating camps for SSB, CW, RTTY and 2m & 6m operation. Not to mention trips to the mess tent for meals.

Online surveying of DXers finds that the demand for The Spratlys on 160m to 10m is fairly equal with each band falling in the 9% - 11% range after 2,670 votes received.

The preferred mode survey results to date are SSB (36%), CW (35%) and RTTY (27%) with 785 votes cast.

The DX0DX Team acknowledges the financial support already received from individual radio amateurs Brad WA6JJB, Paul N6PSE, Marc DO4DXA, Maurice N4LZ, Vic W4VIC, Ken N5TY, Allan VK2CA, Paul VK2HV, Scotty KG9Z, Clay K7HC, Mitch DJ0QN, Neill K4ESE, Doyl AB4IQ, William K3WA and Billy W3EL.

Support has also been given by the IARU Region 3 member society Philippine Amateur Radio Association (PARA), DXWORLD, The Daily Dx and ClubLog.

10th July 2010

The Team headed by Chris Dimitrijevic VK3FY continues to work towards completing a range of matters mainly related to the logistics that go with such a large and prolonged DXpedition on a remote island.

A multi-national group of up to 30 amateur radio operators from eleven countries will reach Thitu Island in the South China Sea by boat in three dedicated teams to put DX0DX on air 6-24 January 2011.

In the past week with a change in local government leadership on the island Chris VK3FY reports it has been re-assuring that the level of support and encouragement from officials remains strong.

The appointed DX0DX QSL Manager is Bob Schenck N2OO who has a very good track record in handling the QSLing for more than 100 DXpeditions.

In early online polling on the DX0DX website www.dx0dx.net of the DX community on the mode that DX0DX is wanted was fairly evenly divided between SSB (37%), CW (35%) and RTTY (28%), and there’s an even spread of band preference 160m to 10m.

So far the VHF & UHF bands rate poorly, but undoubtedly when DX0DX has propagation it will be in great demand. The chosen HF, VHF & UHF frequencies appear on the DXpedition its website. For those interested in 6m, a propagation beacon will run on 50.090MHz when the band is closed.

With six months to go before DX0DX gets on air, Chris VK3FY reports that steady progress is being made to seek further sponsorship and funding support. It is hoped to be able make more announcements in coming months.

To date the corporate sponsors are ICOM America, SteppIR, Spiderbeam, WX0B Array Solutions, Ham Radio Outlet and Heil Sound. It is hoped to be able make more announcements in coming months.

The DX0DX Team acknowledges the financial support already received from individual radio amateurs Brad WA6JJB, Paul N6PSE, Marc DO4DXA, Maurice N4LZ, Vic W4VIC, Ken N5TY, Allan VK2CA, Paul VK2HV, Scotty KG9Z and Clay K7HC and Mitch DJ0QN.

Support has also be given by the IARU Region 3 member society Philippine Amateur Radio Association (PARA), DXWORLD, and ClubLog.

13th June 2010

Team Leader Chris Dimitrijevic VK3FY has just returned from The Philippines where he held high level discussions related to the DX0DX DXpedition being held in January 2011.

A series of meetings included one with the current Municipal Mayor of Paga-Asa (Thitu Island) where the DXpedition will be mounted. Later he met with the Mayor-Designate who will take office in September, and at that time current Mayor becomes the Vice-Mayor.

Other discussions were held with military authorities plus officials of the IARU member radio society, Philippines Amateur Radio Association (PARA) which is strongly in support of the DXpedition.

Chris VK3FY said, “Those face-to-face discussions enabled the amateur radio and humanitarian aims of the DXpedition to be fully explained and agreed, and also clarified the requirements of both local and federal authorities.

“The result has been universal support for the activity. The next step is to complete the necessary immigration procedures for each non-Filipino national radio amateur that will be part of the DXpedition. Once that is completed a formal letter of approval is to be issued.

“The team is mindful that it not only has to meet the requirements of The Philippines authorities but also those of the DXCC Committee to have the DXpedition accredited.”

At the 2010 PARA Hamvention & 17th International Grand Eyeball June 4-6, Ed Valdez DU1EV, who will on the DX0DX team, made a presentation on the two previous DXpedition to the island (DX0K 2005 and DX0JP 2007), and finished off by announcing the January 2011 DXpedition.

The announcement of such a major proposed activation, in terms of numbers of operators (30) and duration (3 weeks) resulted in a standing ovation being given to that news.

Ed DU1EV and Chris VK3FY spent a lot of time talking to some of the 300 delegates who were keenly interested to learn all they could about it.

The next few months will be extremely busy with further work on arranging supplies, logistics, customs clearances, and finalising sponsorship and funding support.

A multi-nation team of 30 radio amateurs will operate ten HF stations – CW (4), SSB (4) and RTTY (2), plus a VHF-UHF Station on 6m/2m /70cm & 23cm. That range of stations appears best suited in response to the known demands of the DX community.

Sponsorship support has so far come from ICOM America, Ham Radio Outlet, Spiderbeam, WX0B Array Solutions, Heil Sound and DX Engineering. Individual donations via PayPal are welcome.

“The team is highly motivated with each individual member preparing themselves for the trip to the Philippines and then on to island for this major DXpedition,” concluded Chris VK3FY.

25th May 2010

A multi-national team of 30 Amateur Radio operators from nine countries is in advanced preparation to operate from Spratly Island group in the South China Sea.

Following 12 months of discussions with military and civilian authorities permission has been received to operate on Thitu Island (Pagasa in Filipino), the second largest island in the Spratly Islands with a population of about 100.

The DXpedition, organized by the South Pacific Contest Club, will run from 6 to 24 January with the final 420 km travel leg for three groups of operators, equipment and supplies is by cargo boat. All supplies including food, water and fuel to sustain the DXpedition needs to be transported to the island.

The team includes five doctors which is not only reassuring other DXpeditioners, but will provide a welcome humanitarian effort through free medical checks for those permanently on the remote island.

The plan is to have four CW stations, four Phone, two RTTY/Digital Modes plus VHF/UHF.

Sponsors include ICOM (America), Ham Radio Outlet, SpiderBeam, Heil Sound and DX Engineering. Further corporate sponsorship and funding is expected, and individual donations will be acknowledged. The DXpedition is supported by the IARU national radio society, Philippine Amateur Radio Association (PARA).

The team leader is Chris VK3FY. The rest of the team to date includes: Keith VK3FT, Roger VK3FZ, Peter VK3FGRC, Jim VK3PC, Nik VK3FNIK, Allan VK2GR, Josette VK2FXGR, Wally VK6YS, Dindo DV1DIN, Ed DU1EV, Edward 4F1OZ, Cholo 4F8BOF, Kaye DV9XO, Toshi JA8BMK, San K5YY, Oscar EA1DR, Christian EA3NT, George EA2TA, Vincent F4BKV, Bjorn SMOMDG, Charles W6KK, Arnold N6HC, Robert N6OX, John N7CQQ, David AH6HY, Simon IZ7ATN, Bill N2WB, Jack W0UCE, Al K3VN, David K3LP, Michel FM5CD, Jay WX0B, Krassy K1LZ, Hrane YT1AD, Paul N6PSE and San K5YY.

Chris VK3FY will visit the Philippines next month to check out the logistics arrangements and ensure all other requirements are finalised.

160M News

noreply@blogger.com (South Pacific Contest Club) — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 05:00:00 PST

Hello Top Band Operators and DXer's (K1ZM -Jeff):

Working with Chris VK3FY, the Team Leader, Dave Collingham K3LP (Installation Team Leader) and Clive Penna, GM3POI, plans for Topband have been refined and thanks to Dave and Clive, we should be prepared now to give Topband a really good go.

What's Planned..

We have moved the 160M primary xmit site to the SE "knee" of the island where it will command an all water shot to EU (330), to Asia/Western NA (010) and to the North American East Coast via long path (145) degrees.
Here we will have twin top-loaded phased verticals firing North and South with some of their radials terminating in salt water. The patterns on these things will be broad as a barn - to allow for skewing - which should put us in good stead.

For listening, we have beverages planned for the principal directions with more capable of being added should we find we need them. Additionally we have access to two of the new K7 160m Rx 4 squares - and, when fully set up, we will have quite a few things to listen on.

Radios are IC7600's courtesy of ICOM with KW amps - so we should poke out a decent signal.

While we will arrive on the island sometime on the 5th of January, the initial teams 1 and 2 have a huge amount of antennas to erect and set up - so it may take a few days for us to finally get QRV on topband. Even when we do, it may be with a very basic setup to work some of the closer in stuff and then after daylight each morning, Clive, David, Bjorn and I and some of the others interested in Topband will start filling in as soon as we can with some of the better listening antennas.

I would hope that by around the 10-11th of January, we should have most of what we really want to have working and finalized, subject only to local noise, intermod and the other things that often get in the way of hearing down to your noise floor.

Whatever we learn when we get there will determine what we can really do but, rest assured, we will do our best to be LOUD and to be able to HEAR well.....

The announced 160M CW FREQ is 1824 - but watch packet and the chat room for what we are doing each day. We may do some xmitting down low (like 1800.5) listening up 2-3 at North American long path times.

For those on the East Coast of NA, you will have your best chance to work us starting about 30 mins after our local sunset. We will be xmitting at these times on a SE heading over the long path - and you should listen S/SW for us - and just wait for us to come out of the noise. The peak may very well be BEFORE your

own local sunrise - so come on down early and don't rely on local sunrise or you could miss the best prop.

For those in the New England and Maritime Canada region, we will be taking standbys quite regularly each day for NA as we near OUR LOCAL SUNRISE - and again, we may be xmitting way down low listening up for EUROPE somewhere above 1810 and up 2-3 for USA/VE callers (meaning 1803-1804.) GM3POI has listened in EU and at his QTH 1800.5 seems like a good spot for us. We can be heard in Europe on that QRG - although the navigation garbage is quite annoying all over the lower end of 160M - but this is as good as anywhere else is down there in Europe.

Europeans will find us daily in the hours before our local sunrise, and we expect this will be a regular, reliable path absent solar storms. North American westerly stations should find us peaking up as they near their local sunrises - and here we expect to have more reliable propagation than we expect we will find to the East Coast. Based on daily LP activity out of XU7ACY, it should be possible to work the East Coast after our sunset from Florida into the Maritimes - as these routes were workable during most of October, into November and N4IS reports hearing XU7ACY just this past week from Florida.

Later in the month, K1LZ arrives with N8BO and NU5Y and we then will be trying to erect a K3LP/K1LZ designed 4sq from atop a 90 ft concrete bunker - with a spider mast atop it. This antenna will be something like 300 feet inland - so I am not at all sure how it will perform at extreme low angles - (Clive and I have told David/Krassy that we think the pair of verticals on the beach will clean the 4SQ's clock on the long path into NA - but you never know for sure until you try it.)

At the end of the month, most of the dx'pedition team members will depart leaving VK3FY and his son and the rest of the CQ 160m contest team on the island by ourselves. We will be setting up a M/S station with two radios and two amps (with an interlock) - and will use both the 4sq and the phased verticals to see what we can do from out in the middle of nowhere! Here again, watch packet - if you want to work us in the contest - as we may be spending some time way down low in the band - rather than fighting it out higher up where we may not be easily found. We all know what 160M sounds like in the contest - wall to wall bedlam! So we will probably go down low to avoid it - listening up.

Internet...

Just this past week we learned we will have SOME access to the internet. I do not know how good it will be, but if it is viable, we may put out some reports of changes to the above and what we are hearing/workingas the dx'pedition proceeds. Hopefully, there will be capability for on-line log uploads etc. We will see how all that goes.

Supporting DX0DX..

If you want to help VK3FY out with some of the additional expenses that flying in is now costing him, please go to the following site http://www.dx0dx.net. From the homepage, click on SUPPORT DX0DX - and this will take you to a page where there is a PAYPAL link. Anything folks want to do would be appreciated, but it is certainly not required - thanks...

QSL's go to Bob N2OO

I think that's the lot folks...rest assured, that we all will be doing our best to work all of you we can hear - and we expect to be putting multiple sets of ears on the band at key times. If we are able, we will try to do some recording - so folks can hear what it sounded like out there at interesting times - no hard promises on this one if we can do it, we will....as it would be nice to preserve what this was all about.

Finally, I should thank Chris VK3FY and Dave Collingham K3LP for working with us to re-jig things for Topband. While it meant some extra work for them to accommodate what we thought we really needed, they came through when it counted and we think we now have a really good plan for 160M. So thanks again guys.....it is much appreciated!

73 for now and hope to CU in the pileups!

Jeff K1ZM
Clive GM3POI
Krassy K1LZ

for the DX0DX team, VK3FY, K3LP, SM0MDG (SE0X) and all the rest of the crew

N6TQS

noreply@blogger.com (South Pacific Contest Club) — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 05:00:00 PST

N6TQS - USA

TEAM 1

NAME: DOUGLAS FAUNT

PROFESSION: RETIRED - IT

LICENCED SINCE:

PREFERENCES: RTTY

FORMER DXPEDITIONS: DXØDX, MD0BPI, FO0AAA, GB0SA, 3D2CY, ZF2QS, XR0X, K1B, VP6DIA,S05X, TZ6RD, T33C, CY9SS, VU4AN, VU7RG and N8S.

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AH6HY

noreply@blogger.com (South Pacific Contest Club) — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 05:00:00 PST

AH6HY - HAWAII

TEAM 3

NAME: DAVID A. FLACK

PROFESSION: AVIATION INDUSTRY

LICENCED SINCE: 1982

PREFERENCES: SSB

FORMER DXPEDITIONS:

DXØDX, YI9PSE, 7J3AQB/4, 8J4JET, 8NØWOG, K8T & K8O (KH8), FOØFLA, AH6HY/AH8, AH6HY/KL7, VP5/AH6HY, 5WØDF, VP2V/AH6HY, V4/AH6HY, PJ5/AH6HY.

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