I.C.P.O. Bulletin (05 - 12 April 2013)

"Islands, Castles & Portable Operations"

Listing is by calendar date (day/month/year)

============================================

05/04/2013: Rob, N7QT, will be heading back to the island of Saint Lucia

(NA-108, WLOTA 1336) on a suitcase mini-DXpedition. We will be operating from

5-16 April 2013 using the new CrankIR portable antenna system from SteppIR (www.

stepper.com/). The operators will be Frans, J69DS and Rob, J6/N7QT. Their

operational base will be a magnificent villa located in Babonneau, which

overlooks Gros Isle and Cap Estate. Their goal is to demonstrate "ultralite"

DXpeditions into magnificent "vista" locations. Operations will include field

portable radio, battery only using backpack/lightweight antennas. They will be

operating 80m-10m using CW, SSB, and RTTY or PSK, as well as field portable

(battery only) either from St. Lucia beaches or scenic mountain tops. During

field portable operations, they will sign their calls /p. QSL information:

J6/N7QT - via LoTW, eQSL, bureau, or direct to his home (SASE required!). J69DS

only accepts direct with SASE, NO bureau! [DX World]

05/04/2013: Carlos, KE5DFK, is currently active as KE5DFK/p until 6th April

2013 from North Padre [or Upper Padre] Island ((NA-092, USi TX006S), located

within the city limits of Corpus Christi, Kleberg county, Texas. QRV on, or

near, the island and IOTA frequencies - casual operation. QSL via home call.

[rsgbiota.org]

06/04/2013: Paul, 2E1EUB, will once again be active as 2M1EUB for 7 days

beginning April 6th. Activity will be from his holiday cottage on the eastern

side of Scotland (EU-005, WLOTA 1234) in the Cairngorms National Park (WWFF

GMFF-001, WW Loc. IO87NC). Activity will be on 160m, 80m, and the satellites

(mostly AO-7 B/A mode), as well as 2m SSB. Paul will also be mobile from his

van. Further info at: www.qrz.com/db/2M1EUB [OPDX Bulletin]

06/04/2013: Look for Jeff, VA3QSL, to be active holiday style as 8P9HI from

Farther Away Cottage, Bayfield, St. Philip Parish, island of Barbados (NA-021,

WLOTA 0999), from 6-13th April, 2013. The cliff top cottage overlooks the East

coast beach of Skeete's Bay (WW Loc. GK03GE). QRV on the HF bands, conditions

permitting. QSL via VA3QSL direct 2 US$ or by the bureau. [DX World]

06/04/2013: The members of Nucleo de Radioamadores da Armada CS5NRA will be

active from the Farol de Cacilhas (DCI ST-073, WCA CT-01356, DMHP ST-073, ARLHS

POR-082H, WW Loc. IM58KQ), municipality of Almada, Portugal, on the 6th of April

2013. QRV on all HF bands and modes. QSL via the information at QRZ.com under

CS5NRA. [WCA]

06/04/2013: Helmut, DL5BUT, will be active on 6-17 April 2013 as homecall/p

from Ruegen Island (EU-057, DID O-007, WLOTA 1712). He will be QRV holiday style

on 160, 80, 40, and 20 metre CW, SSB, and the Digital modes. Depending on the

weather and conditions a two day WWFF (WorldWide Flora Fauna) activation of the

National Park Jasmund (DLFF-007) might be possible. QSL via home call, bureau or

direct. [rsgbiota.org]

06/04/2013: Guy, F5MNW, will be active as FR/F5MNW from Reunion Island (AF-016,

DIFO FR-001, WLOTA 1812, WWFF FFF-011) between 6-29th April, 2013. QRV on HF

bands, CW only. QSL via home call. [DX World]

06/04/2013: Rick, AI5P, will be active holiday style as J75PX from the island

of Dominica (NA-101) on 6-20 April 2013 and as TO5PX from the island of

Martinique (NA-107, DIFO FM-001, WLOTA 1041) on 20-30 April. QSLs via AI5P. [425

DX News]

06/04/2013: Operators Ron, K5HM and Matt, K5NGU will use the Brazos Valley

Amateur Radio Club callsign KK5W to activate Mustang Island (NA-092, USi TX011S,

Grid Loc. EL17), Nueces county, Texas, on 6th and 7th April, 2013. QRV on the HF

bands, on or near the usual island and IOTA frequencies. QSL via: Brazos Valley

ARC, PO BOX 2997, Sugar Land, TX 77487-2997 USA; US Stations QSL with SASE; DX

Stations QSL with SAE + return postage, IRC or two Green Stamps. [rsgbiota.org]

06/04/2013: Hernan V31HU, Ismael XE1AY (V31MV) and Enrique XE2AA (V32EE) will

be active from Twin Cayes, South Water group (NA-180, Grid Loc. EK56), Stann

Creek district, Belize, on 6-12 April 2013. QRV all bands including 6m. QSL all

calls via IT9EJW. Website: www.it9ejw.it/v31/ [DX World]

07/04/2013: Maurizio, IK2GZU, will be returning to Ilembula, Tanzania, between

7 April and 8 May 2013. He is primarily there to carry out electrical work at a

nearby hospital and orphanage. During spare time, Maurizio will operate 5H3MB on

the HF bands and hopes to reinstall a 3 el yagi which was dismantled prior to

his last visit. QSL via IK2GZU, direct or bureau. Website, including log, is

available at: www.buffoli-pm.it/5h/Tanzania%202011.htm [DX World]

08/04/2013: Look for Henk, PA0HFT and Gert, PA5TS to be active as PA0HFT on

8-14 April 2013 from Terschelling Island (EU-038) and lighthouse (Netherlands

2080, Admiralty B0904, ARLHS NET-025, WLOTA 0943). Plans are to be QRV on all HF

bands, using various modes. QSL via the bureau to PA0HFT. Please - No eQSL!

Further info at: www.qrz.com/db/PA0HFT [rsgbiota.org]

08/04/2013: Kazik, SP6AXW and Janusz, SP9FIH will be active as PJ4/homecalls

from the island of Bonaire (SA-006, WWFF PAFF-024, WLOTA 1279) between 8-20

April 2013. QRV on the HF bands, holiday style. For further information, QSL

routes, online log and more, visit: www.pj4-dxpedition.com [DX World]

10/04/2013: Oliver, W6NV, will be at Lord Howe Island (OC-004, WWFF VKFF-295)

between 10-14th April 2013, to see the sights and join Seppo, OH1VR for some

casual operations. Oliver has obtained the VK9LT callsign for his Lord Howe

Island operation which was approved for re-issue by the WIA effective 1st April,

2013. Seppo will operate as VK9/OH1VR between 11-16th April. Direct QSLs for

VK9LT (operations for 2013 only) are to be sent to W6NV. QSL VK9/OH1VR via OH1VR

only direct. More later on bands and modes, when equipment logistics is firm.

Look for them to possibly participate in the Japan International DX Contest and

the Yuri Gagarin International DX Contest over the weekend of April 13-14th.

[OPDX Bulletin]

12/04/2013: Stopping over on his way to the International DX Convention in

Visalia, Wes ZL3TE/W3SE plans to be active as 3D2SE from Suva, island of Viti

Levu (OC-016, WLOTA 0055), in the Rewa Province, Central Division, Fiji, between

12-16 April 2013. Activity during JIDX CW contest (13-14 April), some digimodes

may also be used. QSL direct to home call. Logs uploaded to LoTW at a later

date. [DX World]

12/04/2013: Operators Friedrich DL4BBH, Klaus DL7UXG, Matthias DK7LV, Henning

DB5BZ, Peter DJ4RU, Helmut DL1BGC and Ric DL2VFR will use the special callsign

DM50IOTA from Neuwerk Island (EU-127, DID N-012) and lighthouse (DLTD_GLHS #38,

ARLHS FED-165, TWLHD WLH DL-01, WLOTA 2311, Admiralty B 1344, WW Loc. JO43FV).

This activation will also count for the National Park and Nature Reserve Hamburg

Wadden Sea (WWFF reference DLFF-005). QRV between 12-14 April 2013 on all HF

bands, SSB and CW. QSL goes via DL2VFR, bureau or direct. Website:

www.iota-expedition.com/ [rsgbiota.org]

============================================

LOOKING AHEAD -

20/04/2013: UPDATE: Dindo, DV1UD, will visit Bongao Island (OC-174) on 20-24

April 2013; Tawi-Tawi Island (OC-174) and Taganak Island (OC-225) during the

third week of April 2013. This is to complete some survey and research as part

of his work requirements. Hopefully this will allow him stay on each island for

2-3 days. He will grab this opportunity to activate these rare IOTA's between

his work commitments. Dindo will be QRV as DX8DX on the HF bands with Icom

IC-7000, AH-4 Tuner and 100 Watts into a loop antenna. QSL via M0OXO OQRS

(www.m0oxo.com/oqrs). Please DO NOT send cards via the bureau. Logs will be

uploaded to LOTW as soon as practicable after the operation. Further information

and updates will be available at: www.m0oxo.com/dx8dx.html [DX World]

21/04/2013: Tony, IZ2ESV, reports that four seasoned operators will be active

from La Maddalena Archipelago (EU-041, IIA OT-008, MIA MIS-013, WLOTA 1632, WWFF

IFF-004), between 21-24 April 2013 with the callsign IM0MA. The ops are Tony

IZ2ESV, Bruno IW3HXR, Mauro IK3VUU and Luciano I3CLZ. This is intended as a

spring-break expedition, aimed firstly to relax and have fun on the air. QRV in

their spare time on 80-10m CW, SSB and the Digital modes. QSL manager is

Antonello IK2DUW. [DX World]

01/05/2013: Vadum, UT6UD (ex-S21XV), will be active as A35UD from Tongatapu

Island OC-049) between 1-7 May 2013. QRV on 40-10 metre CW, SSB and RTTY. QSL

via UT6UD. [DX World]

16/05/2013: Between 16th and 30th May 2013, five members of the Sands Contest

Group from Morecambe, England, will be visiting Samos island (EU-049, GIOTA

SAS-006, MIA MG-099, WLOTA 4163) in Greece, for a holiday and DXperdition. They

will be using the call sign SZ8S, and using the Radio House at Zervou Point (WW

Loc. KM37JK) above Samos town, kindly loaned to them by the Aegean Radio

Association. The actual days for operation are uncertain, hopefully we will

start on Saturday 18th May, please watch the cluster's for information.

Operators will be: Barrie G1JYB, Ian G0VGS, Stephany G1LAT, Hughie G4UME and Bob

G1OCK. QSL direct via G1LAT the QSL manager (Stephany Kirkwood, 1 Nether View,

Lodge Lane Wennington, Lancaster, Lancashire, LA2 8NP United Kingdom). Bureau

only QSLs via M0SCG. eQSL's also via M0SCG. PLEASE DO NOT SEND ANY TO SZ8S FOR

THIS DXPERDITION, AS YOU WILL NOT GET A REPLY AS THIS IS THE AEGEAN RADIO

ASSOCIATION’S CALL SIGN. Website: www.qrz.com/db/SZ8S [SV8CYV]

27/05/2013: Andy, G7SQW, plans to be active as EJ/G7SQW from the island of

Arranmore [aka Aran] (EU-121, WLOTA 1189), Co. Donegal, Ireland, from 27-29 May

2013. QRV on 40m-6m from Grids IO54 and IO55 with a 2nd radio dedicated to 6m,

hopefully with a yagi. This will be Andy's first IOTA activation. QSL via home

call, direct or bureau. [rsgbiota.org]

27/07/2013: Gerard, EI5KF, will once again participate in the RSGB IOTA Contest

(27-28 July) as EJ5KF/p from the Bere [aka Bear] Island (EU-121, WLOTA 2983).

QSL direct to EI5KF or via the RSGB bureau. [rsgbiota.org]

28/09/2013: Operators Friedrich DL4BBH, Matthias DK7LV, Klaus DL7UXG, Henning

DB5BZ, Peter DJ4RU and Ric DL2VFR will be active as DM50IOTA from Hiddensee

Island (EU-057, DID O-005, WLOTA 2371) between 28 September and 4 October 2013.

This activation will also count for the Vorpommern Lagoon Area National Park

WWFF (WorldWide Flora Fauna) reference DLFF-014. Also the lighthouse Dornbusch

(DLTD_GLHA #17, ARLHS FED-026, WLOTA:2371). Plans are to be QRV on all HF bands

using CW, SSB and RTTY. QSL via bureau; QSL direct via DL2VFR. Website:

www.iota-expedition.com/ [rsgbiota.org]

============================================

SPECIAL EVENTS -

GJ100RSGB goes on air this week -

G100RSGB, the special event callsign celebrating the RSGB Centenary remains in

Region 11 this week. Today, 31 March, Plymouth Radio Club & Saltash will put an

HF, VHF and UHF station on the air using SSB and possibly CW. On Monday, Riviera

ARC will run the station on Torquay, look out in particular for the SSTV

signals. 2 and 3 April sees the callsign with Poole ARS running 2m and HF bands

with SSB, CW and datamodes. On Thursday the callsign moves to Wimborne with

Flight Refuelling ARS running three stations from 70cm to Top Band, including 4

and 6m. On Friday Weston super mare RS will run the callsign on UHF to Top Band

using CW and SSB. Then on 6th to 8th the callsign changes to GJ100RSGB when

Jersey ARS run the callsign from La Moye Signal Station. Listen for their HF,

VHF and UHF signals. Details of how to get your QSL card are on the website,

www.rsgb.org.uk/ [RSGB]

CT - Portugal:

Portugese amateurs will celebrate the jubilee of one of Porto's landmark sights

until the end of the year with the call CS250CLE on all bands and modes. 250

years ago the construction of the "Torre dos Clerigos" (WW Loc. IN51QD), the

bell tower of the Clerigos-church, was finished, and since then it has towered

over Porto as the highest bell tower in the country with its 76 meters and 225

steps. QSL via CS5RPT, bureau or direct. Website: www.qrz.com/db/CS250CLE [DXNL]

F - France:

Special call TM22TSF will be used by Côtes d'Armor ham radio to mark the

event -T.S.F. on all Roof- organized by the association -memory and heritage

Plouëc- (MPP) on 06-07 April 2013. Presentation of Radio Amateurs and forum for

exchanging old equipment. QSL via F6HRO. Website: www.qrz.com/db/TM22TSF [DXNL]

GM - Scotland:

GM0OBX will be running a special event call of GB1PC during April from Stirling

and District Amateur Radio Society HQ to celebrate the new Police Service of

Scotland. Working on all bands, and modes. Please QSL via bureau and GM0OBX.

Full details can be found at: www.qrz.com/db/GB1PC [GB2RS]

JA - Japan:

The following special event stations became QRV 01 April 2013 and will be active

on all HF bands and modes -

* 8J1IC - 50yrs of Ichihara-city Apr. 1, 2013-Mar. 31, 2014

* 8J1ITAKO - 62nd Suigo Itako Ayame Matsuri - Apr. 1-June 30, 2013

* 8J4FF - 2013 Hiroshima(-city) Flower Festival - Apr. 1-May 5, 2013

* 8J4M13OO - 1300yrs Mimasaka-koku Nation-Building - Apr. 1-Sep. 30, 2013

* 8J4ROSE - 46th Fukuyama(-city) Bara (or Rose) Festival - Apr. 1-May 19, 2013

* 8J7JUMP - Sendai-Miyagi Destination Campaign Apr. 1, 2013-Mar. 31, 2014

* 8J7YAE - Yae and Aizu(-domein) Expo Apr. 1-Jul. 31, 2013

* 8N1A - 40yrs of ASEAN-JAPAN Friendship and Cooperation Apr. 1-Aug. 31, 2013

QSL via operators' instructions or via the bureau. [JJ1WTL/AC6IM]

SP - Poland:

SN0MD to be active for the 40th Debno-marathon between the 3rd and 22nd of April

2013. QSL via SP1PNW. Website: www.sp1pnw.qrz.pl/ [DXNL]

SV - Greece:

The 8th International Alexander The Great Marathon is the background of the

special call SV2013ATGM, QRV between 21 March and 21 April 2013. QSL via SZ2TSL,

direct only. [DXNL]

YO - Romania:

Special callsign YP20ARER is related to 20 years of the Association of Romanian

Amateur Environmentalists. Activity until the year's end, QSL via YO6CUF, eQSL.

[DXNL]

06/04/2013: Special event station 8J1TK will be active on all bands and modes

between 6th April and 14th October 2013 for the "Sports Festival in Tokyo 2013":

The 68th National Athletic Meet in Tokyo(-pref.); The 13th Special Athletes

Sports Competition in Tokyo(-pref.). QSL via the JARL bureau. [JJ1WTL/AC6IM]

06/04/2013: Look for T48T to be active from the historical site of Playitas de

Cajobabo, 45 kilometres east of Guantanamo, Cuba (NA-015, WLOTA 0032) on 6-7th

April 2013. It was here where Jose Marti, Maximo Gomez, and four other prominent

patriots put ashore in a small rowboat on 11 April 1895, after years of exile. A

replica of the boat sits outside the museum and is used each 11th April, when

the landing is reenacted and cultural activities are hosted. Plans are to be QRV

on 80, 40, 20, 15 and 10 metre SSB, CW and the digital modes. QSL via EA5KB,

direct only. [425 DX News]

07/04/2013: For the 28th annual meeting of the French CW Society, the Union

Francaise des Telegraphistes UFT, which will be held in Panazol, Region

Limousin, Center France, the callsign TM28UFT, will be aired between 7-21 April

2013. HF bands and even more, for this CW only operation. QSL manager, Bernard

F9IE. All the QSOs will be confirmed by the bureau. SWL QSL cards should go also

via the French REF bureau. After the operation and before QSL'ing, each one will

be able to check his QSO's on the UFT website (www.uft.net/). Those who however

would have a direct card, should ask it not before 15th July, to Bernard, F9IE,

(QRZ.Com address is correct). In such a case, don't forget SAE and 1 valid IRC

or 2 greenstamps. [F5NQL]

U.S.A. Special Events can be found at: www.arrl.org/special-event-stations

============================================

LIGHTHOUSE CALENDAR -

05/04-16/04 J6/N7QT/P: Sta. Lucia Island WLOTA:1336 QSL H/c (d/B)

05/04-16/04 J69DS: Sta. Lucia Island WLOTA:1336 QSL Direct

05/04-16/04 J69DS/P: Sta. Lucia Island WLOTA:1336 QSL H/c (d)

06/04-13/04 2M1EUB: Scotland (main island) WLOTA:1234 QSL 2E1EUB (d/B)

06/04-13/04 8P9HI: Barbados Island WLOTA:0999 QSL VA3QSL (d/B)

06/04 CS5NRA: Farol de Cacilhas WLOL:POR-082H QSL QRZ.com

06/04-17/04 DL5BUT/P: Ruegen Island WLOTA:1712 QSL H/c (d/B)

06/04-29/04 FR/F5MNW: La Reunion Island WLOTA:1812 QSL H/c (d/B)

06/04-07/04 T48T: Cuba Island WLOTA:0032 QSL EA5KB (d)

08/04-14/04 PA0HFT: Terschelling Island WLOL:NET-025 WLOTA:0943 QSL Buro

08/04-20/04 PJ4/SP6AXW: Bonaire Island WLOTA:1279 QSL H/c (d/B)

08/04-20/04 PJ4/SP9FIH: Bonaire Island WLOTA:1279 QSL H/c (d/B)

10/04-12/04 FH/DL7BC: Mayotte Island WLOTA:0376 QSL H/c (d/B)

12/04-16/04 3D2SE: Viti Levu Island WLOTA:0055 QSL ZL3TE (d)

12/04-14/04 DM50IOTA: Neuwerk DLTD_GLHS:#38 WLH:DL-019 WLOL:FED-165

WLOTA:2311 QSL DL2VFR (d/B)

============================================

6 METRES & UP -

06/04-07/04 NZART V/U/SHF Low Band 6m-70cm 06 0500z-07 0100z

06/04 RaDAR-America Contest Phone/CW/Digi 6m-70cm+Up 1400z-1800z

06/04-07/04 Texas State Parks On The Air (TSPOTA) 6m class 06 1800z-07 2100z

06/04-12/04 V31HU: Twin Cayes NA-180 Grid:EK56 6m CW/SSB QSL IT9EJW (d/B)

06/04-12/04 V31MV: Twin Cayes NA-180 Grid:EK56 6m CW/SSB QSL IT9EJW (d/B)

06/04-12/04 V32EE: Twin Cayes NA-180 Grid:EK56 6m CW/SSB QSL IT9EJW (d/B)

07/04 RSGB First 70MHz Contest SO Fixed/Open 0900z-1200z

09/04 LY 432MHz Activity Contest CW/SSB/FM 1700z-2059z

09/04 NRAU 432MHz Activity Contest SO/MO/Open 1700z-2100z

09/04 RSGB 432MHz UKAC SO Fixed/Open 1900z-2130z

10/04 UBA Sprint 6m Contest Phone/CW 0700z-1100z

10/04 MOON Contest 432MHz CW/Digital/FM/SSB 1800z-2000z

11/04 LY 50MHz Activity Contest CW/SSB/FM 1700z-2059z

11/04 NRAU 50MHz Activity Contest SO/MO/Open 1700z-2100z

11/04 SPAC 50 MHz Contest CW/Phone/Open 1700z-2100z

Contest Calendar: www.qsl.net/va3rj/con_apr.html

GOT6??? - Six Meter Information by Andy 'NEON' Sargent N8OFS at:

http://noars.net/got6/GOT6.txt (Updated: 03 April 2013)

Information about current VHF activities can be found on the VHF DX portal "Make

More Miles on VHF" at: www.MMMonVHF.de/

SMIRK: www.smirk.org/

SOTA (Summits On The Air) Watch Alerts at: www.sotawatch.org/

============================================

QSL INFO -

The following operations in the period February/March 2013 have provided

acceptable validation and are therefore approved for IOTA credit:

* HK0/F6BFH (NA-033 & NA-049), HK1/F6BFH (SA-040).

* T47RRC (NA-086), T46RRC (NA-204), T48RRC (NA-218)

------------------------------

QSLs via Bureau: 7J1YAJ, C6AUM, CR3A, D4C, E70T, EA8NL, F5CQ, G3TXF, HI3CC,

HK1NA, HQ2N, IK6CAC, IO5O, JH1MDJ, K2NPN, K2Q, K7EK, LP1H, LU1ICX, OA4SS, OH1AF,

OK2ZV, RK3DXW, TM6M, UA3EDP/1, UA9MA, VA7ST, VK5PAS, VP2V/AA7V, YB0NDT, YU1AAX

and YU1ZZ.

QSLs via Direct: 5Z4/DL1QW (H/c), 6Y3M (VE3NE), E51E [EU-083] (EB7DX), H40FN

(HA8DD), KH2/G3ZEM (OQRS), OF9X (OH2BH), OJ0X (OH2BH), RI0K/p (RW3RN), RI1FJ

(UA2FM), TZ6BB (W3HNK), V25A (), V63ZM (OQRS), XT2TT (OQRS), XX9TYT (IZ8CCW),

Z60WW (OH2BH), ZB3R () and ZL9HR (EB7DX).

QSLs via LoTW: 3V8BB, 3XA8DX, AA4LR, AA5AU, CR3A, CW5W, CX3AL, EA3IN, EA8CN,

F9IE, HA8JV, HK1NA, HQ2N, IK6CAC, K0AP, K0RU, K4FT, K5KC, K7RL, K9NR, K9OM,

KE9I, KH7X, KL7RA, KP2MM, LU1ICX, N0AT, N0KK, N0NI, N4NM, N5KO, N9RV, NA4K,

NN3W, OA4SS, P40L, PJ2T, PP1CZ, PP5KR, TI5W, V31TP, V84SMD, VA7ST, VE3XB,

VE6BMX, VK9CZ, VP2EC, VP2ME, VP2MRV, W0UO, W0ZA, W1FJ, W1UJ, W7CT, W7RN, XE7S,

YE0M and ZF2AM.

============================================

LINKS -

IOTA (Islands On The Air) at: www.rsgbiota.org/

USi (U.S. Islands Award Program) at: www.usislands.org/

VEFF - Canada Flora & Fauna at: www.qsl.net/va3rj/

VEFF Yahoo! Group at: groups.yahoo.com/group/VEFF/

WCA (World Castles on the Air) at: www.wcagroup.org/ENG/wcag.html

WWFF (World-Wide Flora & Fauna) at: www.wwff.co/

WLOTA (World Lighthouses On The Air at: www.wlota.com/

============================================

BITS & PIECES -

4O, Montenegro

Andrei, UA3TCJ, will be active during his spare time as 4O7TC. QSL via home

call, direct only.

------------------------------

FT/Z - AMSTERDAM ISLAND 2014 -

PRESS RELEASE OF RALPH FEDOR K0IR - 3 April 2013

" I am pleased to announce a major DXpedition scheduled to occur during

January and February of 2014.

An international team of 14 experienced DXpedition operators, led by K0IR,

will depart from Fremantle, Australia in early January of 2014. Their

destination will be Amsterdam Island (FT5Z, AF-002, DIFO FT-001, WLOTA 3085,

WWFF FFF-181).

Amsterdam Island is under the administration of Terres Australes et

Antarctiques Francaises (TAAF). There are strict rules and environmental

regulations in place on Amsterdam Island and access is limited. Representatives

of this DXpedition team met with TAAF officials on Reunion Island in November

and in Paris in early March. The team's plan and credentials were reviewed at

those meetings, and resulted in TAAF's final, written authorization to land on

Amsterdam Island and conduct this DXpedition. The team has been granted an 18

day access to the island to occur between the dates of January 15 and February

20 of 2014.

The team will sail from Fremantle, Australia aboard the MV Braveheart. The

voyage to Amsterdam Island will take them through the "roaring 40s" of the

Indian Ocean and last about 8 days, depending on the wind and weather. TAAF has

reviewed the Braveheart's specifications, environmental precautions, and

emergency response plan and has designated anchorage conditions for the vessel.

Landing at Amsterdam must be timed according to sea conditions as there is no

natural harbor to shield the landing area from the open sea. This may

necessitate waiting off shore until the sea conditions are suitable. But, our

18 day window does not start until we step onto the island.

Once ashore, the team will move to two station positions assigned by TAAF.

The two locations are about 2 kilometers apart. Each location will allow a full

complement of antennas. The separation will allow simultaneous CW/RTTY and SSB

transmission on the open bands. The group plans on eight stations; four at each

location. Elecraft K3's, a full complement of antennas, and 500 watt and 1.5 KW

amplifiers will be the backbone of the station configurations.

The operators are well known in the DXing and contesting world and include:

James 9V1YC, Nodir EY8MM, Michel FM5CD, Jorge HK1R, Bob K4UEE, Craig K9CT,

Erling LA6VM, George N4GRN, Arnie N6HC, John VE3EJ, Steve VE7CT, Gregg W6IZT,

Jerry WB9Z, and yours truly K0IR.

Our website is in the final stages of preparation. When it is complete, you

may access it at: www.amsterdamdx.org/ The website will be password

protected until it is ready.

As with past DXpeditions to "Top Ten" countries, this is a costly venture.

The expenses total just over $400,000 (U.S.). Each operator must contribute a

minimum of $10,000 of his own money, pay his own way to Fremantle, Australia,

another $2,000 to $3,000. In addition be away from home and family for six

weeks, spend 16 to 18 days at sea, and be prepared for the financial and

physical risks inherent in a major DXpedition of this magnitude.

The group needs your financial support to successfully complete this major

project and is asking all DX'ers to contribute what they can to make this

happen. We know that clubs and major sponsors will help us; INDEXA has already

made an extremely generous contribution to the project and the NCDXF has honored

with a very large grant. But we also need the help of individual DX'ers, not

only from North America, but also from Europe, Asia, Africa, South America, and

Oceania. Let's make this happen! Then, let's enjoy the chase of a new country,

a new band country, or working a rare one! "

73, Ralph Fedor - K0IR

------------------------------

N8A - AMERICAN SAMOA -

Jacky, ZL3CW updates to say the callsign used will be N8A.

Aki, ZL1GO (JE4EKO) & Jacky, ZL3CW (F2CW/WE3B) have booked / confirmed their

trip to American Samoa, KH8. Operation will be from Turtle & Shark Lodge between

12 and 26 November 2013 (including CQ WW DX CW Contest). They will join Bill,

N6MW who will be there 11 to 21. [DX World]

------------------------------

WWFF (WorldWide Flora Fauna) -

New home of WWFF Forum for all fans of Flora Fauna program. All interested are

welcome to join the new WWFF Forum at: http://forum.wwff.co/

New home of WWFF LogSearch: http://logsearch.wwff.co/

============================================

73 and Good DX!

Dave Raycroft, VA3RJ

Home of I.C.P.O. & VEFF Program: http://www.qsl.net/va3rj/

Join the VEFF (Flora & Fauna) Forum at: groups.yahoo.com/group/VEFF/

Subscribe to ICPO Mailing List: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/icpo

*******************************************

North American Checkpoint For:

World Lighthouses On The Air - WLOTA

www.wlota.com/

*******************************************

Canadian Checkpoint For:

All Croatian Islands Award - ACIA

All Croatian Islands Award Group - ACIAG

The World Lighthouse Diplom - TWLHD/TWLHF

www.9a7k.com/

*******************************************

Official Representative & Co-Ordinator of WCA program for Canada.

www.wcagroup.org/ENG/main.html

*******************************************

Official Representative & Co-Ordinator of WorldWide Flora & Fauna (WWFF) Canada.

WWFF-council-member (representing VEFF).

www.wwff.co/

*******************************************

______________________________________________________________

ICPO mailing list

Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/icpo

Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm

Post: mailto:ICPO@mailman.qth.net

This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net

Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html