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Following their operation from Sebatik Island (OC-295) from 24 to 27 September (see below), John, 9M6XRO; Steve, 9M6DXX, and Gordon, G3USR, will operate as 9M6XRO/P, 9M6DXX/P and 9M6/G3USR respectively, from Labuan Island OC-133, from 5 to 8 October inclusive (and possibly approx 0000-0200GMT on 9 October). Activity will be on SSB, CW and RTTY with two stations using amplifiers to a Hexbeam, verticals and a 160m inverted-L very close to the ocean. All bands from 10 to 160 metres will be used. QSL 9M6XRO/P and 9M6DXX/P via M0URX, and 9M6/G3USR via home call.
73, Steve, 9M6DXX

ANNOUNCING OC-295 SEBATIK ISLAND IOTA DXPEDITION 24-27 SEPTEMBER 2010

 

9M6XRO, 9M6DXX, 9W6AMC, 9W6LEE and G3USR plan to activate the rare IOTA island of Pulau Sebatik, OC-295, from 24 to 27 September inclusive. The operation will be on 10 - 80m with the emphasis on 15 - 40m. Two stations will be used with amplifiers to a HexBeam and verticals located directly above the sea water. Callsigns will be 9M6XRO/P on CW and 9M6DXX/P on SSB and it is hoped to have both stations on the air during all the major openings to Europe and North America. OC-295 has only been claimed by 14.2% of IOTA participants, having been activated just once before, in July 2006. QSL both callsigns via M0URX, direct, bureau, or LoTW. See Sebatik Island  for further details and for a link to M0URX's on-line QSL request form for both direct and bureau cards.

SPONSORS
The operators of the 2010 OC-295 Sebatik Island DXpedition would like to thank CDXC Chiltern DX Club for its generous sponsorship of this DXpedition.

Several CDXC Members have become involved in this very worthy cause please read the press release below.

Press Release [in full] by GD6TWF: 

The following appeal was made on DX World. Net Assistance Required 

Hi! I am Abel (ex-9E2ABL). What I want to ask about is that I have passed the RSGB exam[1] and am now properly licensed.. but when I apply for the license here I am required to have a radio & I may pay for the custom duty here but for the radio that I cannot afford … so if there is a way like an organization to support or anything…that I can get a radio it will be so helpful. I hope I will get a positive response.

Thank you, 73 Abel 

Following this appeal Sid May ET3SID a British National Resident in Ethiopia for decades contacted DX World.Net to say he had coached four young Ethiopians – all members of the Ethiopian Amateur Radio Society (“EARS”) through the examination including Abel – and stated that all four were in the same position; they had the qualification to get a license but could not afford the cost of buying, shipping and importing equipment. 

As a result of this request several amateurs made offer of help and it was decided to form a simple appeal to raise funds and accept donations of equipment so that these four young amateurs could get on the air. 

The appeal is called Amateur Radio In Ethiopia (“ARIE”) and a webpage has been launched at http://tinyurl.com/ETproject which gives all the information and details on how to donate.

We have already had offers of equipment and cash donations from UK, Germany, New Zealand, UK, USA and Isle of Man. 

The appeal has been designed so anyone can donate according to means. That old rig gathering dust on the shelf would change someone’s life. A small donation would allow us to buy PL259’s or a few metres of coax. A big donation would allow us to ship a donated rig out.

We welcome donations from individuals, clubs, societies, associations, dx-groups any where in the world. If your business is interested in being involved please contact us to see how we can work together. 

We passionately believe that this organisation will have a lifelong impact on the recipients, help people enjoy their hobby who, without your help, would not be able to do so. Contributed towards equipping Ethiopian hams who will be making contacts and giving many other hams a new DXCC country while at the same time developing their own valuable technical skills and career prospects. 

[1] Radio Society of Great Britain (‘RSGB”) International Examination. The cost of which was met by the RSGB.

For any questions please look at our website http://tinyurl.com/ETproject or contact Chris Wood GD6TWF@IOM.COM 

GW - Ramsey Island EU-124 - Once again the Strumble Head DX and Contest Group are heading over the water to activate this rare Welsh coastal island. Several CDXC members will be in the team on the air from 22nd July through to 26th or 27th July (all dependant on tides) using the club call MC0SHL. This trip also takes in the RSGB IOTA contest where they will be on the air using the club contest call MW9W over the weekend 24th and 25th July. Last year they tried to work as many Asian and Pacific stations as this is #18 most wanted on the IOTA listings for that area and they will again try to make as many contacts both before and during the contest. They will have 3 stations using the following equipment;

2 x Elecraft K3 Transceivers
1 x Yaesu FT2000
2 x G3TXQ Hexbeams (built by Ant MW0JZE)
80M Dipole
40M Vertical
3 x Acom 1000

The team will be using MC0SHL on 17 and 12M during the contest to try to give as many contacts on these bands also. They will be on the air mostly in SSB, but with some RTTY and CW thrown in. This year the team will be Rob (MW0RLJ), Jane (Robs wife), Ant (MW0JZE), Oli (MW0JRX), Tim (M0URX), Chris (G1VDP) and Tony (G4LDL). Sadly Charles (M0OXO) is not joining them but will be acting as a pilot station and will be in contact with the team throughout the trip as they are taking mobile internet so they can get on skype and their website with updates. Full details and photographs of last years operation are on the groups website SHDX where there may be live access to the station via webcam if they can get this up and running. All QSL requests should go via the team's manager M0URX where there is on line request and details on how to get the QSL quicker. All logs will be uploaded to the ARRL Logbook of the World (LoTW) upon getting back to the farm HQ on their return. Mmany thanks and we hope to hear you in the pile up.

(Note 4,800 QSOs were made on this occasion. QSL cards are being processed)

We have two more excellent raffle prizes:

An Alinco switching power supply Model No. DM-330MW from Nevada

A TH-K2ETE3 VHF portable transceiver from Kenwood

CDXC member Col MM0NDX and team members of MS0INT Flannan Islands adventure have now all arrived home safely and the work has begun on the QSL work for the wanted IOTA EU-118.

8,194 QSOs were logged to 5,661 Unique call signs, this should help those wanting the Flannan Isles for a new one! The QSL card has now been designed and will be sent out very soon. More information at MS0INT