IOTA News

23 February, 2009

Island activities:

EU-006. Members of the Galway Radio Experimenters Club will activate EJ4GRC from the Island of Inishmore (WAB Square L71) between 1200z, March 17th and 1200z, March 18th. Activity will be on all bands and modes. Visit their Web site at: http://www.galwayradio.com

EU-008/EU-010. Paul, M3KBU, plans to be active as MM3KBU/p from the Inner (EU-008) and Outer (EU-010) Hebrides between August 1-16th. Activity will mainly be SSB on 14260 kHz (+/-). Check QRZ.com under MM3KBU for updates and times. QSL via M3KBU, direct or by the bureau.

Islands currently mentioned are as follows:
Inner Hebrides (EU-008)
Skye (IOSA NH07, SCOTIA CN14)
Raasay (IOSA NH10, SCOTIA CN24)
Outer Hebrides (EU-010)
Baleshare (IOSA OH26, SCOTIA HI11)
Benbecula (IOSA OH04, SCOTIA HI08)
Berneray (IOSA OH05, SCOTIA HI15, WLOTA LH-0756)
Eriskay (IOSA OH09, SCOTIA HI05)
Grimsay (IOSA OH27, SCOTIA HI10)
North Uist (IOSA OH02, SCOTIA HI13)
South Uist (IOSA OH03, SCOTIA HI06)

EU-090. A team of 7 members of IOCA Group (Sven/DF9MV, Daki/9A2WJ, Franjo/9A2MF, Boki/9A3KB, Matt/DL5MFL and Dado/9A3TA), with Emir/9A6AA as team-leader, will be active as 9A0CI from "Vela Palagruza Island/Lighthouse" (CI-084, LH-0057, CRO-012) between May 8-16th. Activity will be on 80-10 meters using CW, SSB and the Digi-modes. QSL via DE0MST, by the DARC Bureau or direct to: Manfred Stippschild, Sylvensteinstr. 9, D-83661, Lenggries, Germany. They also expect to operate SSB as 9A/homecall and homecall/p from "Mala Palagruza Island" (EU-090, CI-461) and, for the first time, from "Rock of Kamik Od Tramuntane" (CI-960). QSL via their home callsigns. More details are available at: http://www.inet.hr/9a6aa/iocaplan.htm

NA-186. Cezar, VE3LYC, is planning a DXpedition to one of the most wanted IOTAs in the world called Fox Island. Cezar states,"This group sits on the #1 position on the NA-IOTA Most Wanted list with only 3% of the IOTA members having it confirmed. The only activation was back in 1993, for only a few hours. Several years ago Fox Islands had been designated polar bear resting site in the Churchill Wildlife Management Area and became off limits for the public.

This past Thursday (Feb. 19th), I had finally been informed that a permit had been issued for my DXpedition, and I will be able to travel to the islands between March 31st and April 3rd. Note that I have also requested a special callsign from Industry Canada, but their evaluation is likely to take a little longer. I will travel with two professional guides who will provide transportation to the island by snowmobiles, bear watch and safety, as well as all logistical support required for such an operation. Outside temperature at that time of the year is expected to be around -10 C. If I'll be able to obtain the special callsign, I will set up a page at QRZ.com where I will update everyone on what follows."

Costs of this operation are very high and Cezar is seeking any possible support from both group and individual donors. Cezar states, "Any donation will be truly, very much be appreciated. There are two things that I will include later
on the QRZ.com page. First, about the QSLing. Those who choose to mail direct requests should check the cost of mail from Canada to their QTH. QSL requests received with insufficient return postage will be automatically sent via the bureau.

Secondly, I will be camping in total wilderness without internet access on the island. As such, DX Cluster posts addressed to me as criticism or requests are useless. I am determined to give all parts of the world a chance, and I ask DXers to respect my direct calls."

Compiled by OPDX

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