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www.ncdxf.org Spring/Summer 2005 FT5XO: Another low-fat, high-fiber DXpedition by James Brooks, 9V1YC , FT5XO DXpedition leader

Kerguelen is not exactly the most Six years later in popular in the world to visit. mid-2003 the idea came It’s not near anywhere, it’s not on the back out of my head. It way to anywhere and it’s not really had been a year since anywhere anyone would want to go the VP8THU-VP8GEO to.k It’s a place where the wind can DXpedition and I began reach typhoon strength on any ordi- to wonder if the same nary day and it’s a place where the lightweight method weather is almost always cold, wet could be applied to Ker- and miserable. guelen. So, with Bernie, In fact, Kerguelen is so unpopular HB9ASZ, working on that even gets more visitors. the landing permits So why would anyone want to go and permission, myself to Kerguelen? Because of DXCC, working on logistics and finances, we the normal DXpedition load. Small that why. began the long, arduous process of radios, small antennas, small genera- Kerguelen ranks as one of the most staging a major DXpedition tors, low power — even if it meant wanted DXCC entities (even higher to the end of the world. our signal was going to be weak to than Peter I in the USA) and that the world — that would just have to makes it a perfect spot for the Micro- Planning do. In exchange, we would take the Lite DXpedition team. Hard These trips are never easy. From to reach, cold climate and very rare. a logistical standpoint they present Our team’s specialty. a major challenge in terms of safety, INSIDE THIS ISSUE I came up with the idea to activate environmental restrictions and travel FT5XO: Another low-fat, Kerguelen in 1997 when I was given distance and, from an administrative high fiber DXpedition...... 1 a chance opportunity on the way back level, they require many, many years from Heard Island. We only stopped of patience. Heavy Hitters for 2004 ...... 4 briefly at Kerguelen, and by a stroke Because of these difficulties, our Visalia 2005...... 5 of luck I was given a free helicopter “micro-lite” approach to Antarctic ride to an old, unused whaling sta- DXpeditioning was born. Safety and VU4 DXpedition 2004 tion about 10 minutes flight from the environment concerns outweigh all — a challenge activity...... 6 French base. Only one other VKØIR others when dealing with this for- 3YØX-2005 – The one team member was with me at the time midable region of the world, so the that got away!...... 10 (KK6EK), so it remained a bit of a ability to get on and off an island in a secret for many years. I “filed” this rapid manner with minimal hardware 6OØCW — Somalia potential DXpedition site away in my is key. DXpedition ...... 12 head as place to think about in the For the VP8 trip we did every- Video Lending Library...... 15 future. thing we could to “trim the fat” off Northern California DX Foundation P.O. Box 1328 Los Altos, CA 94023-1328 USA Phone 707/794-9801 • Fax 707/794-8033 www.ncdxf.org President...... Len Geraldi, K6ANP [email protected] Vice President...... Al Burnham, K6RIM [email protected] Secretary...... Tom McShane, NW6P [email protected] Treasurer...... Bruce Butler, W6OSP [email protected] Directors...... Ken Anderson, K6TA Three of the Microl-Lite Penguins shoveling through the SSB pileups at [email protected] FT5XO. James Brooks, 9V1YC (in baseball cap), team doctor Lew Sayre, W7EW (in plaid shirt) and John Sluymer, VE3EJ. Rusty Epps, W6OAT [email protected] best operators we could find. Essen- “exclusive sponsor,” which would Steve Merchant, K6AW tially, 6dB less signal would have to mean that nobody else (such as com- [email protected] be made up with 30dB more operator. mercial equipment manufacturers) Dave Pugatch, KI6WF The dangerous of South could contribute. In exchange for [email protected] Sandwich were the first where this the exclusivity they would give us a Chuck Ternes, N6OJ idea was tried: no heavy amplifiers, much larger sum of money than had [email protected] no large low-band antennas and no ever been given before. This ex- Tim Totten, N4GN big transceivers. VP8THU was ap- change had worked well for us on the [email protected] proached with a lightning strike 4-day VP8THU-VP8GEO trip in 2002, and M. Glenn Vinson, W6OTC stay and it worked. Two days later we they were pleased to help us again. [email protected] landed on the slightly less dangerous The NCDXF board especially Advisors...... Lou Beaudet, K6TMB island of South Georgia, and contin- liked our idea to keep things small Howard Brainen, WZ6Z ued with VP8GEO. and easy. After all, the “micro-lite” Bob Fabry, N6EK In many ways, South Georgia and method had been tried and tested Bob Ferrero, w6rj Kerguelen are quite similar: Both before, and there was no reason to are tough to reach Antarctic destina- believe it wouldn’t work again. They Peter Jennings, AB6WM/VE3SUN tions, but with calm, safe anchor- were also reassured when we pre- Dave Leeson, W6NL ages and a higher safety margin that sented a detailed plan, an experienced Steve Lund, K6UM allows a little more weight allow- team and a good, reliable ship. Charlie Mason, W4NJK ance. When planning the Kerguelen That of course meant the Brave- Dick Wilson, K6LRN trip we decided to continue with the heart, the same ship used for ZL9CI, Editor...... Steve Thomas, N6ST vertical antenna approach, but this VP6DI, VP8THU and VP8GEO trips. [email protected] time stretch ourselves a little by tak- An experienced crew, knowledgeable Graphic Designer...... Debi Shank ing some small amplifiers and two in the workings and needs of a DXpe- Webmaster...... Doug Bender, WW6D larger transceivers to help us out on dition was essential for a trip like this, Newsletter produced at WorldRadio the low-bands. Though we departed and I could think of no better choice. slightly from the 100W-only rule on We arranged to board the ship in all stations, our overall weight load Durban, South Africa, and planned still stayed very manageable. to sail her across to Kerguelen. After Logistical issues aside, there is that, we were to continue with the another big problem with Antarctic currents to Fremantle DXpeditions: money. So, in early (Perth) in Australia where we would 2004 with the help of Trey, N5KO, end our journey. (Trying to sail we approached the NCDXF for fund- against the strong ocean current and ing. The idea was for them to be an return to South Africa would have

Page 2 Northern California DX Foundation Newsletter been extremely rough, uncomfortable er to enter the territory, nor does one a large 6M Yagi that was to be used and time consuming.) need to be a French citizen to be in exclusively for EME. Assembly was Another of the Micro-Lite Pen- the group. TAAF actually welcomes a bit difficult due to the strong winds, guins DXpedition Team credos is that tourism, but unfortunately the bureau- but by the morning of 20 March we we have no websites, no pilots and no cratic nature of the French govern- were on the air! online logs. This is a significant de- ment stretches the permit process into Stations consisted of three Ken- parture from what most DXers have years and it costs a team like ours wood TS-50 transceivers for CW come to expect from a major opera- almost $10,000 in landing fees. (same units used during the VP8 tion like this. At first, some DXers We arrived safely at Kerguelen on trip), plus an Icom 756 Pro and an could not quite understand why we 19 March after smooth sailing for just FT1000MP for SSB. We also had a did this, but in time most understood. We feel that the Internet and all the electronic publicity available to DX- ers today was gradually draining the whole DXpedition experience. A step backwards into the true Ham spirit of DX is what we are all about. The old fashioned way of DXing would strictly apply, and everyone at home would have to keep a keen ear out to work us, and our weaker-than-aver- age signals. The FT5XO team. (from left) VK6DXI, VE3EJ, W3WL, SP5XVY, N6MZ, Though I was sad that my old 9V1YC, GIØNWG, W7EW, HB9ASZ, MØDXR, NØTT and AG9A. friend Trey, N5KO, could not make the trip due to family commitments, I under 10 days. After a brief check in Yaesu FT897D for the EME station, did end up assembling a fine team of at the French base for passports and which was to be manned by our team 12 very experienced operators, most administrative matters, the Brave- doctor, Lew, W7EW. Finally, at 0624 of whom were on the South Atlantic heart proceeded to our DXpedition UTC on March 20, we were on the air “Micro-Lite” trip in 2002. location, which was at the old whal- with the call FT5XO. ing station of Port Jeanne d’Arc about Overall, more than half of all our Departure 40 km to the southwest. QSOs were with stations from Eu- On 9 March, after a wonderful The DXpedition campsite at rope. That was followed by Japan, the send-off from the Ham community Port Jeanne d’Arc was found to be USA and the rest of Asia. This very in Durban we set out for Kerguelen perfect, with a beautifully restored unequal distribution was due mostly — directly into the famous rough seas house containing beds, heaters, to propagation, distance and general of the southern ocean. toilet, running water and even a well HF activity. Kerguelen is administered by a stocked kitchen! A welcome surprise Continental breakdown: Europe, French government authority called compared to what I saw back in 53%; Japan, 21%; USA, 17%; other TAAF which stands for Terres 1997! Asia, 5%, all others, 1% or less each. Australes et Antarctiques Francaises (French Southern and Antarctic Setting up Results Territories). The island is occupied After quickly assembling the Unlike the USA, which is almost year-round at a small base called Port antennas and setting up our stations at the antipode and a bit difficult to Aux Francais and is serviced by the it was decided that the team would work, the distance and path to Europe ship Marion Dufresne (the same ship operate in two shifts — one on the and Japan from Kerguelen is almost which took the VKØIR team to Heard air during the day, and one during the the same, and a relatively easy one. Island in 1997). Along with Crozet, night. This was so all of us would be The final mode ratio ended up at FT5W, and Amsterdam Island, FT5Z, able to return to the ship each day for 68% CW and 29% SSB, which was this ship visits Kerguelen four or five hot showers, meals and to sleep. not surprising given that most of the times a year over the spring and sum- We installed single-band vertical FT5XO operators were CW contest- mer months. Other than that, there is dipoles for 10, 12, 15, 17 and 20M. ers. Most of us were very reluctant no other regular vessel that visits the Quarter-wave verticals for 30M and to do any SSB at all during this trip, island. 40M, and two “Battle Creek Special” but we knew that it was important to Obtaining a landing permit for type antennas for 40M, 80M and make a good effort on both modes. Kerguelen is easier than one might 160M. All verticals except the “Battle Surprisingly, our worst performing think. One does not need a special Creeks” were designed and produced band to our best continent (Europe) scientific reason or government waiv- by Bernie, ZS4TX. We also put up was 20M. This was due to the fact

Spring/Summer 2005 Page 3 that the band QSO totals by mode from 18 March would open just CW 45,687 68% to 2 April, but it a little too late, turned out that and close just a SSB 19,903 29% both the journey little too early RTTY 2,358 3% to Kerguelen and for us to work EME 6 then home again Europe effec- was predicted to tively. Japan Total 67,954 100% take a little lon- had no problem ger than expect- on 20M of course, due to the fact that ed. As a result, we only they were ahead of us in darkness, became QRV at 0700 but Europeans suffered. Quite a few UTC on 20 March, and stations thought it was our fault and had to go QRT on the we were purposely ignoring the band. morning of 31 March, Gentoo penguins gathered near the base of one But this was not the case. of our antennas. We were also very Band-Mode breakdown surprised at how well Australia. We arrived into Fremantle 10M and 12M performed Band CW SSB RTTY Total (Perth) on the morning of 11 April this far down in the solar 160M 1,173 16 0 1,189 — a total journey of almost 5,000 nautical miles and 32 days across the cycle. We knew that the 80M 3,578 957 0 4,535 equinox period would Southern Indian Ocean. help bring 10M and 12M 40M 9,643 2,774 160 12,577 • up to some sort of usable 30M 9,683 0 616 10,299 Special thanks go to ZS5BBO and all the members of the Highway level, but we had no idea it 20M 4,012 4,640 327 8,979 would produce such good Amateur Radio Club in Durban, results. We even found 17M 5,144 2,168 497 7,809 South Africa, who made our air to sea ourselves working many 15M 4,485 3,964 758 9,207 transit exceptionally smooth. Thanks also to TAAF for their kind support QRP stations on 10M and 12M 4,411 3,499 0 7,910 12M. The fact that we for our adventure. 10M 3,558 1,885 0 5,443 chose to go down to the And though its been said before, Antarctic region during 6M EME 6 we would again like to thank our sole the equinox rather than organizational sponsor, the Northern the traditional “summer” California DX Foundation. Their months of January and February which was about three days less than continued support for DXpeditions to made a profound difference in our we had hoped. The last QSO was the far reaches of the world helps to ability to make use of all bands. made by Wes, W3WL, at 0154 UTC keep one of the most exciting aspects after a total of almost 68,000 QSOs. of Amateur Radio alive. Without the Conditions By that evening we were on NCDXF, this trip would not have our way home, this time headed to been possible. During our trip, the outside tem- perature hovered between 0°C and 8°C, with sun, rain, sleet, snow and lots of wind almost every day. The snowstorms were very strange. Over a period of two days snow would Heavy Hitters for 2004 come down in extremely heavy bliz- We sincerely thank these supporters of the Northern California DX zards each hour, but would last only Foundation for their generous contributions during the calendar year of a few minutes. The snow’s start-stop 2004. cycle was so fast that often the sun $2,500-$5,000 or more K6DC (estate), W4QM and W6EUF. would come out a few minutes later and everything would melt in a matter $750-$1,250 — K6RIM, K6TA, Northern Illinois DX Association, of minutes! The most dangerous part Southern California DX Club, W6EEN, W6OSP and W6OTC. of the snowstorms were static elec- $250-$500 — Anonymous, AA6IR, AB6WM, JA1EM, K6GFJ, K6IPV, tricity, which put such a huge charge KI6WF, K6KO, K6MD, KI6T, LA7XB, NC8B, N1CYA, N4JJ, Northern on our antennas that it temporarily California DX Club, Redwood Empire DX Association, W5IZ, W6AQ, wiped out the bands with noise, and W6BGK, W6JZH and W6WKE. even destroyed one radio completely. Our original plan was to be active

Page 4 Northern California DX Foundation Newsletter Visalia 2005 Pictures from the NCDXF breakfast at the International DX Convention in Visalia, 15-17 April 2005.

NCDXF display.

(above left) (from left) VU2DBP, K6ANP, Len D.N. Prasad; K6ANP, Geraldi, NCDXF Len Geraldi, NCDXF President, and President, and OH2BH, Martti VU2RBI, Bharathi Laine. Prasad. Bharathi Prasad and D.N. Prasad were co-lead- ers of the December 2004 VU4NRO Andaman Island DXpedition. See page 6 for the story.

(left) W6OAT, Rusty Epps, NCDXF Director and N7NG, Wayne Mills, ARRL Membership Services Manager. Visitors at the NCDXF booth.

Spring/Summer 2005 Page 5 travel and logistics for the DXpedi- VU4 DXpedition 2004 tion. At the first instance, we prepared the plan of operation, listed neces- — a challenge activity sary equipment, antennas, computers and associated Ham gear required. by S. Ram Mohan, VU2MYH NIAR always has ready-to-carry disaster communication kits with fully functional HF, VHF, Promoting Amateur Radio activity power supply units and in India has been a challenging task DC cords readily packed. for even the most experienced and We brought down the 4el, influential people. The best example 3-band Yagi at NIAR for p 20‑, 15- and 10-Meter was obtaining the permission to operate from Andaman and Nicobar bands, Inverted-V for 40 Islands (VU4). and 20 Meters, 2 nos. of Repeated attempts were made by high gain vertical anten- several Hams in India and abroad nas for 40-, 20-, 15- and to seek permission to operate from 10-Meter bands, Inverted- Andaman and Nicobar Islands since V for 12- and 17-Meter the last activity in 1987. We are proud bands and separate anten- that the National Institute of Amateur nas for 160- and 80-Meter Radio (NIAR) could achieve this latest state-of-the-art transceivers, bands, including four linear ampli- goal. power supply units, antennas, laptop fiers. VU2RBI brought her own 7-ele- Mr. S. Suri, VU2MY, founder and computers and other accessories that ment, 5-band beam for her station. chairman of NIAR, had the leadership helped us to mount the VU4 DXpedi- It took eight persons, five days to skills and courage to pull off an unre- tion within a short notice including test each and every equipment and alistic and impossible task of securing digital modes like PSK, SSTV, RTTY, pack in appropriate boxes and suit- permission from the Government of etc., during the operation. cases. The entire equipment weighed India for a team of five Hams with 660 kilos. Mrs. Bharathi Prasad, VU2RBI, as A shocking surprise Second and most important task was team leader to operate from Andaman The Government of India approved budgeting for the entire DXpedition. and Nicobar Islands. a DXpedition to Andaman and Nico- Most of the hotels were relatively ex- “Anything is possible and every- bar Islands with five operators: name- pensive and economical hotels did not thing is impossible in India,” these ly Mrs. Bharathi, VU2RBI (team want external antennas on top of their words of VU2MY echoed in every leader); Mr. D.N. Prasad, VU2DBP; buildings. We had sleepless nights iden- office briefing. Obtaining permis- Mr. D. Varun Sastry, VU3DVS; Mr. tifying exact locations. VU2RBI and sion for conducting a DXpedition in R. Sarath Babu, VU3RSB, and Mr. S. VU2MY were the only team members VU4 was an impossible task until the Ram Mohan, VU2MYH. Permission who had visited Port Blair, 17 years moment it arrived. VU2MY made was issued on 19.11.2004 intimating earlier! We searched the Internet, made several trips to New Delhi (2,000 km us to conduct a DXpedition from 3-31 several telephone calls and chased north of our HQ at Hyderabad) to December 2004. people for the right information. convince officials, having discussions The news came as a surprise; the We decided on three places, includ- with several agencies and Ministries joy was unbound. We were so of Government of India. happy that NIAR could fi- VU2RBI used every possible nally crack the puzzle. Now the influence to convince decision-mak- shocking reality: there was just ing authorities to get an approval two weeks to prepare. on her application. Her efforts were VU2RBI, stationed in New thoroughly supported by NIAR and Delhi, informed us to make all over 200 individuals and institutions the necessary arrangements for worldwide, sending letters to the government. The support given by India’s De- partment of Information Technology to NIAR to establish 10 Amateur Ra- The expedition team just before leav- dio centers all over the country earlier ing NIAR in Hyderabad with 660 ki- during the year provided us with the los of equipment (left).

Page 6 Northern California DX Foundation Newsletter ing Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Polytechnic College and Hotel Sinclairs in Port (right) Mr. S. Ram Blair for Mrs. Bharathi and her family. Mohan, VU2MYH, We decided to take a rental accom- operating Amateur modation for a month for myself and Radio station at Mus Jetty, Car operate the station from the college. Nicobar, providing Mr. Ellyas, a friend of my col- emergency com- league, informed us that it would munication. Mr. be difficult to visit Nicobar Island D.V.R.K. Murthy, without valid “tribal pass” and proper VU2DVO, is also travel permit from the local adminis- seen. tration. We found it difficult to seek these permissions given the time limit of our operation and the idea to oper- ate from Nicobar was dropped. create awareness about Ama- teur Radio. We readily agreed Pooling funds and that became our fourth NIAR already had a committed station in our operations. program running for a year and it was We were racing against already stretching its resources for time for the launch; the meet- other projects. I shelled out my sav- ings took more time than ex- ings for the year; it could only count pected and we only managed for a one-way ticket from Hyderabad Mr. S. Suri, VU2MY, explaining to erect an Inverted-V antenna in to Port Blair for four members of our importance of Amateur Radio pitch darkness on top of a workshop team. NIAR sponsored the return communication in a program or- building. A table, chair and an electri- tickets, logistics, local travel and ganized at Prasar Bharathi, Port cal point was arranged in a parking other incidentals. Blair (Broadcasting Corporation lot adjoining the road, just before Dr. Charles Harpole, K4VUD, of India, Radio and TV). midnight, where it was pre-decided to gave us ideas and information and be VU3RSB’s location for operation. assured us that DX associations made available by Frank, DL4KQ. He was on the air and we were would sponsor the VU4 DXpedition. We found Mr. Raju, the radio of- thrilled by the response as he gave He did an excellent job scouting on ficer onboard was a Ham enthusiast out a call “CQ CQ CQ DE VU4NRO our behalf, which helped us to bring waiting for license; he showed us his VU4NRO VU4NRO.” The reply was Bharathi and her family by air just in office and shared his experiences. instantaneous; the first contact was time for launching the operation. VU2JOS did an excellent job made with VU2MY. It was a memo- Transporting 660 kilos of equip- packing each box, every package was rable moment in life and a sense of ment and personal luggage was an marked and tagged for each operator. accomplishment as we made our first ominous task for myself and Sarath We prepared a short notes on whose contact. There was huge pileup on the Babu, VU3RSB. We requested Mr. station will be installed first and hours band just in seconds. I handed over the D.V.R.K. Murthy, VU2DVO, and Mr. of operation, frequency band and control and station to VU3RSB, he put Prashant, an SWL awaiting license to modes. on the headphones and started answer- assist us. Mr. Jose, VU2JOS, joined VU2RBI and her family arrived on ing the calls, in minutes he started fill- us later with the new antennas and 1 December and installed their anten- ing pages of the logbook. He operated assisted the team. It was just the grace nas and equipment and were ready for nonstop for next 10 hours. of God that the DXpedition team launching the operations on midnight VU2RBI began her marathon of embarked on the ship, M.V. Akbar, of 2 December 2004. radio contacts as the clock struck leaving Chennai on 29 November that 00:01 a.m. on 3 December. Mr. reached Port Blair on 2 December A dream becomes reality Prasad, VU2DBP, and young Varun, 2004. VU2RBI had informed us that we VU3DVS, stood in her support and Once on board ship, we had time should be ready by 4:30 p.m. for an had to wait till Bharathi exhausted to study other successful DXpedi- official appointment with the Chief her energies in the morning. She was tions and read tips from the experts. Secretary, Andaman and Nicobar Ad- glued to the operating table right We jotted plans on initial frequencies ministration. She explained our visit from the word GO ... breakfast, lunch and suitably unpacked the equipment to islands to him and he welcomed and dinner was served to her on the at appropriate locations. We were us to the islands and suggested we operating table. particularly impressed with T33C put an Amateur Radio station at the VU2RBI called us the next morning Banaba Island DXpedition details science centre for people to visit and to raise her 7el beam at Hotel Sin-

Spring/Summer 2005 Page 7 His Office of the Chief Secretary, Anda- Excellency, man and Nicobar Administration. We Mr. Sushil informed them that our teams were Kumar Shinde, fully equipped to provide any com- Governor munication support. We got a cold of Andhra response initially. The officers were Pradesh busy assessing the situation and ex- gave the pected everything to be under control. DXpedition There was no forewarning on the team a warm huge tsunami waves that were about send off and to hit the islands. wished all suc- We rode our bikes to find out cess. damage of equipment installed at clairs. The military provided her an ex- NIAR sponsored equipment cellent mast for her antenna and two of Yaesu transceivers: FT 757 GX-II HF transceiver, FP 757 HD power supply, FL their officers in support of her opera- 7000 linear amplifier, FT 411 E handheld, FC 757 AT antenna tuner, FC 700 tions. VU2RBI went on to make over antenna tuner 18,000 contacts with the same antenna Icom antennas: Icom AH-4 antenna tuner, AH-2B mobile antenna in the next 23 days of her operations. Icom transceivers: Icom 706 MK-IIG HF/VHF/UHF transceiver, Icom 208H VHF/ VU3RSB operated the first two UHF base station transceiver, Icom T90A VHF/UHF handheld transceiver, Icom PS55 power supply, linear power supply (30A/12V) Indian make days and nights from the shade of a Antennas donated by Mr. Frank, DL4KQ, Cushcraft A3 WS, A 103, SteppIR Yagi parking lot, braving extreme tempera- 5-band tures. College authorities provided a NIAR antennas: Create - 318 Jr. triband beam (14/21/28), Create 7-element, 5- room on the third floor of the boy’s band beam (14/18/21/24/28), Create CY 153 monoband beam (21), Inverted-V, hostel but the real challenge was put- all-band antennas (all-band), Telex Hygain 14AVQIWB-S Vertical antenna (10 ting an antenna on top of the building. through 40 meters), VHF/UHF groundplane, VHF Magmount + 50 MHz, 1,500 A WARC band antenna and an Invert- meters of coaxial cables ed-V for 20-, 40-, 15- and 12-Meter Other essentials like Hi-Mound paddle key/straight key, CW software, quick band were erected at this location. charges, Yaesu NC 37; slow charger, Icom BC 110 I operated with Inverted-V for Digital equipment: laptop computer, NIAR digital interface, MFJ 1275 digital inter- 80M, Vertical for 40M band mostly face, digital camera, digital web camera, colour printer, external CD writer during night, Tri-band beam for 20-, In total 660 kgs of Amateur Radio equipment and accessories was mobilized for the entire operation. 15- and 10-meter bands on PSK, CW and voice modes. ible on the walls, along with broken the science centre in Port Blair, just Visiting friends articles, shattered glass and tiles. In two km from Hotel Sinclairs along K4VUD visited us during our DX- seconds a beautiful guesthouse was the coast. We could see the seawater pedition and took several photographs torn apart. Rubble and dust filled the raising. Within seconds, water rose 10 and video of the DXpedition. He gave corridors and lobby. to 12 meters. We luckily reached high valuable tips to VU3RSB on radio The first thought was to find out ground before water engulfed low-ly- operation and modified VU2RBI’s the welfare of other team members ing areas and damaged houses. Cars beam antenna which immediately since we were operating from four were thrown to a distance of 30 me- improved the performance levels and different locations. Hotel Sinclars was ters away from the road. We packed logged more contacts than usual. damaged but the structure was intact. the equipment safely into a suitcase VU2MY visited and he had an VU2RBI was safe and we received and turned back. The route was inun- excellent opportunity to conduct information from other team mem- dated with water and the road was not demonstrations on Ham radio at the bers about their being safe. clearly visible. We waited till water science centre. There was no damage to our equip- receded and crossed on finding a safe ment, so we requested the hotel run passage. Nature’s fury was such, de- Earthquake/tsunami relief the generator and we made contact struction seen all along the road. Tremors were experienced around with the outside world. We instantly The seriousness of the disaster was 6:30 a.m. on 26 December 2004. We got Hams from Chennai, Thailand, and becoming evident as we heard reports heard rattling sounds of cracking other areas on band. Many felt tremors from Hams in neighboring countries. windowpanes; standing on our own and were trying to know more infor- We immediately suspended DXpedi- two feet was difficult and we ran for mation and intensity of earthquake. tion activity and used the radio only safety. There were wide cracks vis- We immediately reported to the for emergency communication. We

Page 8 Northern California DX Foundation Newsletter (left) Sarath realized our potential for emergency Babu VU3RSB communications. operating the I would like to thank all the of- DXpedition ficials in India who helped us make VU4NRO. this task possible. I would also like (below) Mrs. to thank all Hams who sent contribu- Bharathi, tions, particularly DERA; NCDX VU2RBI, operat- Foundation; International DX As- ing from lawn sociation; German DX Foundation; outside Danish DX Group; GM DX Group Hotel Sinclairs UK; Swiss DX Group; EU DX for emergency Club; CDXC UK; Charles Harpole. communications. K4VUD; Dr. Markus Dornach, DL9RCF; Mr. Bob Rylatt, G3VXJ; Mr. Gerald J. Chouinard, K5YAA; Mr. Frank, DL4KQ; Mr. Lester, passed several welfare messages of ZL4PO; NZDXF; Mr. Austin Con- hotel inmates and staff to their fami- don, VK5WO; Mr. Fernando Fer- lies and friends in the mainland. nandez Martin, EA8AK; Member We got a call from the Dy. Com- EU Parliament, and several others. missioners office on 27 December Your support ensured our stay in Port evening requesting Amateur Radio Blair beyond 15 December and made communication support and we im- VU4 2004 DXpedition a successful mediately setup a station in his office. activity. Special thanks to DL4KQ, A team of two operators were airlifted who provided us very good antennas on 28 Dec 04 to Car Nicobar; myself were also supporting the emergency shipped all the way from the USA. and Mr. D.V.R.K. Murthy, VU2DVO, operations. We thank Hams worldwide for en- volunteered and the station was in Mr. Raja Kartikeya, NIAR mem- couraging us during the DXpedition operation by afternoon. We passed ber, who served people during and supporting earthquake/tsunami initial damage reports, requirements Gujarat earthquake directly landed relief operations. of relief material and several hundred in Car Nicobar and worked along- Upon landing at NIAR HQ in Hy- welfare messages. As there was no side Indian military and paramilitary derabad, we were pleasantly surprised official to help trace missing people, forces for search-and-rescue opera- to see hundreds of congratulatory we went to nearby localities to find tions, disbursement of relief at vari- messages. I came across a message those individuals and passed their ous camps, construction of new roads from an Israeli group thanking us for welfare messages. and helipads. tracing their members and passing on Amateur Radio communication It was proved once again, beyond their welfare. The team felt the job network was expanded to a location at doubt, relevance and potential of well done. Mus Jetty in Car Nicobar and at Hut Amateur Radio, even with the exis- • Bay in Little Andaman. Three sta- tence of facilities like satellite phones We have done our part as Ham tions were established in Port Blair to and other technologies. radio operators and enthusiasts by handle emergency traffic at Dy. Com- • conducting a challenging task of missioners office, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar The DXpedition team would like VU4NRO/VU4RBI Andaman and Govt. Polytechnic College and Anda- to return to these islands once again Nicobar Islands DXpedition. Over man Public Works Department. to complete the unfinished task and 36,000 contacts in which VU2RBI Additional teams from NIAR with also look for new avenues to oper- alone made over 18,000 contacts more equipment arrived in Port Blair ate from Lakshadweep Islands also, logged, over 650 contacts on PSK and took position at different loca- which also tops the list of most and over 30 on SSTV. tions. Another team of operators from wanted DXpedition stations. The I joined NIAR RACES wing as Gujarat setup stations at Campbel experience and expertise are the a volunteer at the age of 15, provid- Bay Island and Terasa Island. strengths of NIAR, which has hun- ing disaster communications in many Emergency communication was dreds of committed volunteers who natural and man-made disasters over provided for next 15 days and the last wish to perform a professional task the years. This remains as first instance of the teams left the Andaman Islands with minimum resources. in my life to have experienced a severe on 13 January 2005. Andaman and Nicobar Islands disaster and also work for disaster NIAR Hyderbad and Delhi centre Administration was fully appreciative communications, which will remain in were also acting as relay stations and of our DXpedition activity and fully the memory for a lifetime.

Spring/Summer 2005 Page 9 icebergs. Most of us met in Punta 3YØX-2005 Arenas since we had originally sched- uled to sail from there on the Antarc- The one that got away! tic Dream. We purchased tickets for a 55-minute flight to Ushuaia, Argen- by Gary Stouder, MD, K9SG tina, to meet other team members and prepare for our 1,200-mile I was fortunate to be a member trip to Peter I. At the airport of the long-awaited 2005 DXpedi- in Ushuaia, three very tion to . A group of 17 friendly local Hams eagerly other Hams and I, a photographer, helped us get to our ho- an adventurer, and the “worlds most tels. The LU8XW Ushuaia traveled man” spent 10 “vacation” Radio Club members had a i wine and cheese reception days in Ushuaia, Argentina, while our team leaders, Bob, K4UEE, and for our first night at their Ralph, KØIR, tried everything pos- club headquarters and they sible to complete the DXpedition in arranged for us to receive 2005. Our original ship, the Antarctic temporary Argentina Dream, failed to meet its contracted licenses. Because of their deadline for renovation and then, on hospitality, most of us made short notice, we contracted the ocean donations or paid to be- offshore supply tug Cavendish Sea to come members of their club take us to Peter I. We also had to find and made many QSOs from a first and then a second helicopter their facilities. The club during this short time. We still felt we building included an of- could justify the tremendous expense fice, a large kitchen-dining at this point because we would be at area with a huge ventilated the island for about 10 days. How- indoor grill, a bathroom and ever, 24 hours after the ship was a radio room with access supposed to leave port (500 miles to their large antenna farm. north) to pick us up, a call to the har- The club is very near the water and easily located bormaster revealed that the ship was Gary, K9SG, recruiting a new team member! delayed with engine trouble. Facing underneath a large lighted another delay of three days made the antibiotics, emergency medications outdoor sign that read “LU8XW.” We decision to postpone inevitable. We and even a defibrillator. Our shipping made many trips to the radio club for simply could no longer justify the container held an even larger sup- food, QSOs, fun and fellowship with expense. It wasn’t fair to the team, the ply of medical equipment to allow the local Hams during our stay. sponsors and the worldwide Amateur treatment of infections, injuries and Pupi, LU8XPA, is in the tour busi- Radio community. The good news is heart attacks since it would take at ness and has a brand new Mercedes that our multinational group spent an least five days to get to any type of bus. He took us on many tours and otherwise enjoyable, but anxiety pro- medical facility from Peter I Island. out to eat nearly every night without voking vacation, while sidelined in This was my first group DXpedition charge. Of course, he was our guest beautiful Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, and my pileup skills had only been at dinner. Ralph, KØIR, and Gerard, Argentina. tested while operating in Curaçao at F2JD, were interviewed on local TV the PJ2T contest station. However, I and became instant celebrities on the Preparing for Peter I felt my medical skills would make up streets of Ushuaia. Everyone seemed My journey began about 14 for my lack of pileup skills and was to gain weight with our inexpensive months ago when I retired from a very excited to be a part of the group. daily meals that included all-you-can- very busy family practice and was Meeting with a team of Hams who eat dinners that started as late as 10 delighted to be chosen as the team excelled in different aspects of the p.m. every night in local gaucho res- physician for the group. I obtained hobby and other skills necessary for taurants. I never saw so much meat! detailed medical histories on all of the expedition was a real treat for a I was awestruck while discussing the participants while working as a neophyte DXpeditioner like me. medical issues with Martii, OH2BH, Locum GP in rural Queensland, Aus- The flight from Santiago to Punta who has a kidney transplant and told tralia, late last year and tailored my Arenas gave a beautiful view of the how he excelled in contests even supplies accordingly. My suitcases snow-capped Andes topped with while undergoing dialysis. Dur- held about 30 pounds of IV fluids, , mountain lakes and calving ing one dinner conversation, Martti

Page 10 Northern California DX Foundation Newsletter explained his philosophy of DXpedi- island began shrinking. Eric, K3NA, walked among them. Everyone tions and how it is important to actu- spent hours devising different sce- was taking digital pictures and we ally entertain the DXers during the narios of how we might get on the dumped about 5,000 pictures into event. We quickly became friends and island and ramp up our operations Eric’s computer. He promises to pro- talked many times during our stay in more quickly, all the while being vide everyone CDs containing all of the southernmost city in the world. absolutely sure that we were not jeop- these pictures. In addition to the fond ¡El fin del mundo! ardizing safety. Martti, OH2BH, gave memories I have already mentioned, very instructive lectures on working I will never forget Andy’s perpetual Small world pileups and how to maintain control smile and booming voice. Rooming One evening, Erling, LA6VM, by spreading them out, working areas with Michael and walking all over and I were discussing his work and and working by numbers. By the end town together, and taking a ski lift up the topic drifted to his present job of his talks, I was ready to take on the mountain with George, N4GRN. of manufacturing custom equipment the “wall of for offshore oilrigs. I told Erling that sound” — the this brought back memories of my thousands older cousin John who worked in who would the North Sea oil industry. Suddenly be calling Erling’s face brightened and he said, on those “I know this man and see him every first days on week.” We discussed what I remem- the island! bered about John since I hadn’t seen Gerard, him in 20 years and, after a couple of F2JD, gave a e-mails, we confirmed that this was long talk on the same man. What a small world we safety issues live in! that might Dinner in Punta Arenas, Chile, our first night together. Carlos, NP4IW/6, and Gerard, come up on (clockwise, from left) KØIR, N4GRN, K4UEE, K9SG, F2JD, both speak Spanish and Eng- our trip. I WØRUN, N6OX, LA6VM, Axel Kruse, PA5M, N2WB, K4SV lish very well so they served as our gave a talk and Curtis Lieber. interpreters. Gerard’s native language on medical is French and he would frequently conditions that we might encounter. Dave, K4SV, and Bill, N2WB, spend- mix in some French and English These lectures and discussions had us ing hours at the radio club making words during his interpreting which prepared to go where few had gone hundreds of QSOs. I learned about would make us all laugh. These guys before and make QSOs throughout lightning induced whistlers, Alpha really came in handy around town the world. amplifiers and how someone can and helped out in conversation with actually run 100 miles, in the moun- the local people. One evening Luis, Change of plans tains, from Gordon, WØRUN. Carlos, one of the local Hams and David, When the ship was delayed the last NP4IW/6, described how his compa- VK4GL, were sitting together at din- time and we postponed until 2006, I ny made monoclonal antibodies from ner and unable to carry on a conver- was amazed to see the adventurers in mice tumors. I once saw a diminutive sation when suddenly both of them the group rapidly change plans. Martti Hans Peter, HB9BXE, trying out a realized that they spoke French. From and Pertti, OH2PM, were on their way high chair in a restaurant. And of that point on we had an Australian to work in the ARRL CW contest at course, I will always remember the and an Argentinean carrying on a PS2T. Pertti was also making plans final look of defeat on Bob’s face and non-stop conversation in French and to visit Fernando de Noronha for the the tears in Ralph’s eyes when they fi- only Gerard had any idea what they 160 SSB contest. David and Eric made nally announced that all options were were talking about. plans to go to Easter Island; Michael, exhausted and our mission would be We didn’t spend all our time eating PA5M, called HQ for the UN Food postponed until next year. and sightseeing. We spent about three Program and was quickly assigned to It has been my observation in life days training for the mission. Bob, Chad, where he is QRV today! The that a great deal of satisfaction comes N6OX, took us through a PowerPoint rest of us were tired, a bit overweight from pursuing a dream and even presentation showing how to set up and ready to get back home to friends, when we fall short of our ultimate our shelters. He had taken pictures at family and neglected work. goal, we become stronger people every stage of the assembly process During our stay we hiked in the and develop deep bonds with others during our training meeting held in Andes and took boat trips down while trying to fulfill the dream. This Atlanta the previous fall and built a the Beagle Channel where Charles adventure was no exception and Peter training module on PowerPoint. With Darwin had sailed years ago. Some I Island is still there waiting for us… the delays, our expected stay on the people saw penguins and some even Until 2006.

Spring/Summer 2005 Page 11 6OØCW — Somalia DXpedition by Andrea Panati, IK1PMR

In October 2004, I presented the to find the last T33C DXpedition at the annual items we needed, SPDXC meeting in Poland, but I including robust was still unable to answer the ques- tape to reseal our tion “Where will you go next?” until boxes opened for Ii received an e-mail from my friend inspection! Silvano, I2YSB, asking if I could join At 1 a.m. we the 6OØCW DXpedition. were ready with Adriano, IK2GNW, was also our baggage involved, but at the last minute he and reclaimed was unable to join the expedition. the large boxes The team was completed by Beppe, from the security IK2WXV; Marcello, IK2DIA, and office. We then Riccardo, IZ5BRW. All of them had checked in at 4 been part of the 2002 expedition to a.m. with Daallo Niger, 5U. Airlines. The flight from Dubai to Djibouti was no to set up our first station, where we problem. Next, we boarded an old assembled the first antenna: a vertical ex-USSR Antonov AN24 airplane to for 30/40/80M. Somalia; the small plane was really I was in charge of making video full of passengers and baggage every- and pictures of the setup phases, where! Two hours later we reached plus some public relations activities our destination Galkaio (6:47N, 47: that lead me to a good lunch. To my 25E), in the Puntland region of So- surprise, after a Somali soup, I found malia. A quick look from the window myself eating good pasta with Husse- revealed the city structure: a large in who spoke to me in perfect Italian! array of square buildings, almost all The owner of the restaurant spoke the same size, same color and same Italian, too, as he had spent five years plain roofs. Streets were simply a mix in Torino. Of course I was prepared to of dust, stones and holes of different speak English or other languages and sizes. to eat rice or camel for this PR lunch, but eating pasta with Italian-speaking Somalia people made me feel great and made I was the first of the team to set things easier! Some common cultural Mr. Mohamed Yasin Isak, 6OØMY, foot on the soil of Somalia. It was a background was evident. President of SARFEN, issuing great pleasure to see Adan, 6OØN, In the afternoon, despite being the 6OØCW original license to come to me and shake my hand, tired, we had to hurry to find suit- Silvano, I2YSB. followed by Professor Hussein and able pipes to erect our antennas and others. Our identity was obvious from a generator to overcome the frequent Planning proceeded until our the color of our skin and from the power faults. Hussein was a smart departure on 1 February 2005, when “6OØCW” hats (an essential item and invaluable helper for logistics. we checked in our unusual wooden/ under the sun at those latitudes). I Our first visit to a Somali house to aluminum boxes containing pre- was quick enough to snap a picture of pick up the generator was a surprise: cious antennas at the Milan airport. the other team members getting off although it had no floor and a lot of We landed first in Dubai, where the the plane, but then I was immediately mosquitoes, it had satellite TV and an UAE security officers didn’t like our blocked by several persons asking for Internet connection! A scenario that is baggage and decided to lock up a few “no camera.” So you’ll understand difficult to describe. of our boxes until we checked in for why our video of the expedition is our next flight. We spent 20 hours in quite poor. First contact Dubai, a very dynamic and interest- Adan and Hussein accompanied By sunset, the station was ready ing city. People from all continents us to a guesthouse in Galkaio which with an FT-847, 500W amplifier and meet here and it was no problem was to be our main base and the place 30/40/80M vertical antenna. Our

Page 12 Northern California DX Foundation Newsletter from our and the broadcasting equipment. antennas. Galkaio is reasonably safe (compared The next to Mogadishu), but many people own day we weapons and we heard shots fired decided to almost every night. set up our The top band offered us great second sta- satisfaction on several nights between tion at Radio 2000 and 0300 UTC. We were able Daljir, an to work 603 stations on 160M, with FM broad- more than 50 U.S. stations mixed casting sta- among the EU stations at the same tion located time. JAs had good signals early in in Galkaio the evening and VK6HD was incred- about three ibly loud. We transported a bed with km from our mosquito netting to the radio room. Silvano, I2YSB. guesthouse. Sleeping was impossible because of new friends invited us to go out for The place had few amenities and the hot temperature, lights and noise, dinner and we could not refuse their three km under the sun of Somalia or but at least we had a mosquito-free kind offer. On the other hand, DXers (even worse) at night are a long way. place to relax. worldwide and our Ham friends at However, the choice was motivated Our typical day included a light home were waiting for us to show up, by the presence of a 50m tower which breakfast with tea and biscuits, rice and some of them would worry if we we could use for our 160M Inverted- or pasta with camel meat at lunch, did not appear when expected. V dipole. Somalia is pretty rare on then tea again for a quick dinner, with I was the only one of the team who 160M, and at this time of minimum shifts to keep our stations running 24 had real food at lunch, so I was more solar activity we believed that the hours a day, except when we had to relaxed than the others. low bands deserved greater consid- attend social events. I also was one of the CW opera- eration. It was easy to find a young During the day, operations took tors who could start on 30M, the best “volunteer” to climb the tower and place on the high HF bands, with lots place to be given our initial limited install our dipole 45m above ground of EU all the time, some JA in our setup. So I started the operations for a few U.S. dollars. He did the job morning and NA in the afternoon. at 1500 UTC on 3 February 2005 quickly and he was happy; we were U.S. East Coast and Midwest were signing 6OØCW on 10118 kHz, the happy too! no problem and we were able to log lowest frequency that sounded quiet To be serious on the low bands, we 3,380 NA contacts on all bands. A on 30M. It was no surprise that I gen- brought with us a Beverage receiv- few times we talked on sked to our erated an instantaneous huge pileup. ing antenna. Unfortunately, we were friends Gian, I1POR, and Claudia, Very soon, several familiar call signs located in a large town and there was I1/K2LEO, for quick updates. One were logged and I was happy to have no space for our Beverage except of our ops had fever for a couple the opportunity to send “all ops ok, to run it on top of the roofs and of days; Dr. Abdul, an Italian doc- vy FB, pse phone home” to a few across several streets 3.5m above the tor who resides in Galkaio, was so good friends. Within the first three ground. It was hard work under the kind to visit us and give him medi- hours, many of our I1/I2 best friends sun, with some 50 children around. cal advice. This fever, together with were already in the log, including: We also erected a vertical for 40/ other logistics problems, prevented I2UUA, IK2GNW, I2KMG, I2KAJ, 80M. The station was an IC-756pro- us from seriously participating in the IK2DFZ, I2TAO, I1POR and I2AOX. III, ACOM-1000 power amplifier, RTTY WPX as originally planned. When the others came back from and a laptop running WriteLog. We worked digital modes mainly on dinner, they told me about check- From 4 to 16 February, every night 15M, managing to log 1,062 QSOs on points on the road manned by armed two of our mainly CW ops (I2YSB, RTTY. groups. All went smoothly, however, IK1PMR and IK2WXV) had shifts because they were accompanied by operating CW on the low bands. We Challenges our Somali friends. We had a power hired a driver to take us around after The most difficult challenge by far fault around local midnight (as we sunset and to come back and get us was hearing W6s and W7s. We were would have every day). IK2DIA was at sunrise. Beside being dangerous, looking for them before our sunset indefatigable each night in checking, moving around alone is also difficult on CW (the most efficient mode). refilling and restarting the generator because there are no signs or lights Propagation is what it is at the bottom as many times as needed. Security at on the streets. We were locked inside of the solar cycle, but what made the guesthouse was guaranteed by an the radio building with armed guards us lose precious contacts was the armed guard sitting just a few meters outside to guarantee security for us behavior of a few EU ops who were

Spring/Summer 2005 Page 13 unable to understand “nw pse USA were happy to get a 6OØ lifetime li- 0300 UTC on 17 February, the day USA” and “pse EU QRX” when we cense with the last two letters of their of our departure from Somalia, for a were trying to copy weak signals long Italian call signs. total of 24,187 QSOs. K7XB was our path from the U.S. The next last contact. West Coast. We even Band SSB CW RTTY QSOs day, Sahra had someone insist- 160 0 603 603 (Secretary Heading home ing with “pse EU” General of We left our beam antenna with rotor 80 39 763 802 during those precious SARFEN) and 160M antenna to Somali Hams, short openings with 40 1,508 2,468 3,976 visited us at together with a complete HF station, W6/W7; this is not 30 0 2,856 71 2,927 the guesthouse laptop and several accessories. Before the true Ham spirit or and it was my 20 2,310 490 4 2,804 our departure, Joe, VA6JWT (who has DX expertise, since great honor to been active as 6OØJT since October we worked EU at 17 1,533 1,120 2,653 show her how 2004), visited us. Then it was time to least 22 hours a day 15 2,812 1,398 987 5,197 to operate the run to the airport which really is just from 160M to 10M. 12 1,727 1,634 3,361 equipment a room in the desert! Our small plane Many W6s are that we would arrived and was quickly filled. We had also our good spon- 10 1,106 758 1,864 leave to 6O stops in Burao (Somalia), then Dji- sors and friends, and Total 11,035 12,090 1,062 24,187 amateurs upon bouti, Dubai and finally Milan, where we can’t see why our departure. we landed on 18 February at 12:15 we shouldn’t try to work them for a I made two contacts as 6OØMR for local time. few minutes a day on such a difficult training purposes (not a pirate guys!), Our new Somali friends already path. We had the best 20M open- then I gave the microphone to Sahra have invited us to come back, and it’s ings to W6/W7 on 13 and 16 Febru- for the next possible that this will happen ary, always long path at our sunset. few QSOs. Continent QSO in the future, to give out more 30/40m were more stable, with a few Training a European Union 17,680 new ones. Our sincere thanks openings at our sunrise too, but the YL Amateur go to the Somali people, S/N ratio wasn’t better. We also had Radio student North America 3,380 and to our many sponsors: limitations on 20M due to RFI to the in a similar Asia 2,434 NCDXF, INDEXA, DAN- broadcasting systems. developing Africa 277 ISH DXG., GDXF, MDXC, country is an EUDXF, CDXC, GMDX, South America 253 Somali people interesting ECO ANTENNA, D.A.E., Public relations were essential and rewarding Other continents 163 ELETTROPRIMA, Printing in 6O. We were guests in a foreign experience Shop IK1PML, KEYER by country where a visitor for an Elmer. She had no I2RTF, RIZZIERI ELET., CAVEL, can’t really do much Country QSO time to do more radio, CEP, FUNK, CUBICOM, IRAE2, alone and requires help but satisfaction was evi- EDILFOND, ARI CASALE Monf., from local people. The Italy 3,188 dent on her face. ARI SCANDICCI, ARI BRONI- Somali were very help- USA 3,133 It’s not easy for a STRADELLA, VK2BVS, W5BXX, ful and friendly with Germany 2,866 Somali woman to gain I1HJT, I1UJX, IK1AZK, IK1IZB, us. They helped with access to an HF station. IZ1ESM, I2CBM, I2KMG, I2EPT, Russia 1,787 logistics, food, internet Women there have to I2WOQ, IK2BLA, IK2CIO, IK2DFZ, access, licenses and Japan 1,470 dress and behave in spe- IK2UTT, IK2UWR, IK2VIL, I4EAT, much more. Poland 1,220 cific ways. We, as guests, DL9RCF, K7ER, K8YC, W3AWU Somalia looks for- have to respect their tra- and W6OAT. Ukraine 1,091 ward to development ditions and rules, and peace after a di- because it’s their sastrous civil war. Amateur radio has country. Our mission was to been reintroduced in Somalia by Sam mount a DXpedition and to Voron VK2BVS/6OØA. On 14 Feb- help Somali Hams (or future ruary we had the pleasure of meet- Hams) with basic training and ing Mr. Mohamed Yasin, 6OØMY, equipment donations. the President of SARFEN (Somalia Although our Beverage Amateur Radio Friendship and Emer- antenna had been cut by gency Network), who presented us someone several days before, with individual 6O licenses. Silvano we were still able to make ex- had been issued the 6OØCW original cellent QSOs on the top band. license; all the other team members DX activity continued until

Page 14 Northern California DX Foundation Newsletter Vi d e o Le n d i n g Li b r a r y Clubs that borrow materials are responsible for postage in both directions. The postage amount will be on the package when it comes to you, and is usually about $3.20. Please give the name of your club, the day of the month you meet, and more than one choice of programs in case there is great demand for the item you want. Please return all materials promptly (with your check for postage reim- bursement) so it will be available for others. Submit requests to Dick Wilson, K6LRN, PO Box 273, Somerset, CA 95684-0273; e-mail to [email protected].

We have the following VHS programs 46. VU4, Andaman Island, 1987, by Combatore Radio Club (30 82. E35X, Eritrea, May 31-June 10, 1993, by LA6VM, LA1EE, mins.) JF1IST, LA9DL & LA7XK (17 mins.) 1. XU1SS (plus BVØYL & BVØJA) (35 mins.) 47. 3Y5X Expedition, 1989. Video by JF1IST (In Japanese, good 83. AH1A, Howland Island, 1993, by ON6TT, WØRLX, K9AJ, 2. 7J1RL, Expedition of 1976 & 1978 (includes ZK9ZR, Mellish photography, 35 mins.) WØCP, KØEU, W9IXX, K4UEE, F6EXV & G4LJF (45 mins.) Reef). 48. VR6TC speaks to the Turlock ARC, 1/8/91. VHS by K6IMN 84. 9G1AA, Ghana, by PA3AWW, PA3FUE, PA3FUE, PA3ERA, 3. VK9ZR, Expedition of 1978 (plus Ogasawara, 1978). (125 mins.) PA3DEW & PAØTUK (55 mins.) 5. JF1IST/7J1, Expedition to Okino Torishima of 1979 (25 mins.) 49. 1990 World Radiosport Team Championships in Seattle (25 85. 9MØS, Spratly Islands, 1993, N7NG, WA6AUE, OH6DO, 6. Australian travelogue, Climbing Big Ben, Heard Island (55 mins.) JA5DQH, OH1NYP, 9VIYW, 9M2FK, OH2MAK and OH2BH mins.) 50. ICOM’s More Than Radios, The Legacy We Leave To The (30 mins.) 7. Ham Radio in the South Cook Islands, by ZK1CA & ZK1CT Young (25 mins.) 86. Journey to Peter I, 1994 (30 mins.) (70 mins.) 51. T33R-T33T. Banaba, Nov. 1990, SM7PKK, TF3CW & 87. ZD9SXW, Tristan da Cunha, 1994, by G3SXW (18 mins.) 8. VR6 by ZL1AMO & ZL1ADI, copy of above slides by Jim Hurt, OH1RY (22 mins.) 88. Last Voice From Kuwait, 9K2DZ (25 mins.) W Geo College & W4VWA. 52. This is ATV, by Western Washington AT Society & Seeing is 89. Malyj Vysotskij Island, 4J1FM / 4J1FW, October 1992, by 10. Revilla Gigedo, XF4DX, of 1987. Produced by WA8MAZ (15 Believing, by AEA (47 mins.) AHØW ex 4J1FM (43 mins.) mins.) 53. New Horizon: South Pacific Adventure, by AA6LF (55 mins.) 90. 3CØGD, Annobon, 1989 by LA8PV (20 mins.) 11. North Texas Contest Club, towers and contesters, by K5TCK 54. YB3ASQ: Indonesian Stations and Sightseeing, by W7TSQ (45 mins.) 91. IAØKM & HV4NAC (30 mins.) (25 mins.) 14. FG/W2QM/FS, French St. Martin, DXing Senior Style 92. H44IO, South Pacific DXpedition, by DL7IO ex DL7VTM (46 55. XF4L of 1989, by JH4RHF, XE1OH, XE1XA, OH2BH, — Another wrinkle to DXing. mins.) W6RGG, XE1L, OH2BU & N7NG (25 mins.) 15. 1984 Laccadive Is. DXped, VU7WCY, plus 1983 VKØHI from 93. The Congo, TN4U & TN2M, 1995, by DL7IO ex DL7VTM (40 56. ET2A, by W4IBB, Jack Reeves, May 1991 (12 mins.) TV (about 60 mins.) mins.) 57. ISØXV, by UW3R, et al, July 1990 (35 mins. or a 2-hour 17. HKØTU DXped of 1983, Malpelo (25 mins. with audio tape 94. 3V8BB, 1994 (17 mins.) version, your choice). translation by KB6MZC.) 95. Mission to Jordan, The Joint Israeli/Jordanian DXpedition, 58. Jarvis 1990, from K3NA & KN3T (35 mins.) 18. The Ship That Shouldn’t Have — VKØJS Heard Island JY74Z, in July ’95 (43 mins.) DXpedition (90 mins.) 59. 3CØCW, Annobon, 1991, by the Garrotxa Club of Spain (20 96. The Kermadecs DX Adventure, ZL8RI - DX at its Best (30 mins.) 19. The New World of Amateur Radio (28 mins.) mins.) 60. Araucaria DX Group, Brazil, Contest Station and Operators 20. SØRASD, The Western Sahara Story, 1987 by the Lynx 97. World Radiosport Team Championship, 1996 (23 mins.) (30 mins.) Group (37 mins.) 98. VKØIR Heard Island 1997, by Peter Casier ON6TT (51 mins.) 61. 9L1US, by Dave Heil, K8MN, ed. by Jim Hurt, West 21. Auckland Island, 1988 by ZL1AMO, ZL1BQD, N7NG (60 99. Bell Lab’s video. “Similarities in Wave Behavior” (27 mins.) GA. College & W4VWA (45 mins.) mins.) 100. "Eric EdBerg, W6DU Memorial Pacific DXpedition" by 62. Dave Heil, K8MN visits Finland, edited by Jim Hurt & Henry 22. Dr. Owen Garriot’s first talk to Hams about the Space Shuttle. WA4FFW. Owen, W4VWA (35 mins.) 23. Russian Ham Radio Tour by WA6WXD, Oct. 1986 (45 mins.) 101. Legends of Amateur Radio — W6EA, W6HX & K6OJ 63. Island, 1990, from a slide show by N7NG, Wayne — Southern California DX Club (42 mins.) 24. 3Y DXpedition, 1987, copy of slides by Jim Hurt, West GA Mills, produced by MoBre (15 mins.) College & W4VWA (40 mins.) 102. DXpedition to the Spratlys, 1996. Slide show on video (30 64. PJ9W, 1990, Spirit of Victory, Radio Team Finland, produced mins.) 25. Peter I, 1987. Video from JA7ARW. by WA7LNW (48 mins.) 103. H4ØAA, The Temotu DXpedition, April 1998 (10 mins.) 26. 1979 Spratly Island DXpedition, by K4SMX, K1MM, VK2BJL, 65. Empire of the Air: The Men Who Made Radio, recorded by N2OO, N4WW & KP2A. KI6YB (110 mins.) 104. 3B9RF, Saint Brandon, 1998 by K5KG (38 mins.) 27. 1988 Malyj Vysoiskij Island, OH2BH, UZ3AU, OH5NZ, 66. Contest Night Live, by the Kansas City DX Club (30 mins.) 105. ZL9CI, Campbell Island, 1999 by 9V1YC (60 mins.) UR2AR, OH2RF, UW3AX (23 mins.) 67. DXing Kansas City Style, by the Kansas City DX Club (30 106. FOØAAA, , 2000 by 9V1YC (60 mins.) 28. 3W8DX & 3W8CW by HA5WA, HA5PP, HA5BBC, mins.) 107. A52A, Bhutan 2000. Written and filmed by James Brooks, Nov. 1988. Produced by W4BRE. 68. VP8ANT/G3CWI, Adelaide Island, Antarctica (45 mins.) 9V1YC (60 mins.) 29. , P4ØV, CQ WW Test 1988 (12 mins.) 69. H44, May 1991, by G3WVG, G3IXT & G3SXW (12 mins.) 108. XZØA, Union of Myanmar, 2000 DXpedition, Central Arizona 31. Navassa of 1988, by N2EDF, K2SG, KE4VU, KD2NT, DX Association (35 mins.) 70. VP2EOH, Island, by Northern Ohio DXA, 1992 (29 N4GNR, KT2Q & W3GH (38 mins.) mins.) 109. Timor Lorosae, K7BV 32. Rhodes, SV5, by N2OO & SVØAA, April 1989 (40 mins.) 71. T32T, Christmas Island, WPX SSB Test, Mar. 1990, narrated 110. Ham Radio Olympics (WRTC 2000) 33. NØIZ/KH1, Howland Island, 1988, by NØ1Z, 7J3AAB, by VP2ML & video by JH1LBR. 111. K5K Kingman Reef, 2002 TR8JLD, VK9NS & VK9NL (20 mins.) 72. VP8SSI, South Sandwich, 1992 (26 mins.) 112. D68C Comoros Islands 36. Tuvalu, 1989, by K6EDV & AL1AMO (27 mins.) 73. More About Radios, Zman Productions, (How to Get Started 113. Power Point I2UIY Niger/5U 2001 & 2002 37. Visalia Convention of 1990, recorded by W6NLG (2 hours) in Amateur Radio) (28 mins.) 114. VP8THU South Sandwich, 2002 38. Rotuma, 1988, copy of the slide show bby Jim Hurt, WGC & 74. Navassa Island, Jan. 1992, by WA4DAN, AA4VK, NØTO, 115. VP8GEO South Georgia, 2002 Henry Owen W4VWA (73 mins.) KW2P & AA4NC (25 mins.) 116. WRTC 2002, Finland 39. XW8CW & XW8DX, 1989, by HA5PP & HA5WA. Produced 75. Getting Started in DXing, by CQ Communications, Inc. (52 117. 3XY7C Guinea 2002, DL7DF by W4BRE (27 mins.) mins.) 118. K4UEE Top Expeditions 40. XU8CW & XU8DX, 1990, by HA5PP & HA5WE. Produced by 77. Project Irma: The DX Truth-O-Meter, Northern Cal. DX W4BRE (25 mins.) Convention, 1993 (25 mins.) 119. 3B9C Rodrigues, VHS or DVD 41. All China Amateur Radio Direction Finding Competition, plus 78. ZL9DX, Auckland Island, by ZL1OK, ZL1AVC, ZL2TPY, 120. T33C Banaba, DVD BY1PK (32 mins.) JH4RHF & JR4DUW (28 mins.) 121. TJ3FR/TJ3SP Cameroon 2004, DVD 42. ZS8MI, by ZS6PT, partial copy of the slide show (40 mins.) 79. CYØDXX, Aug. 1989, Sable Island by the Breton DX Group 43. Jim Smith, A51JS, visits the Bay Area. Videotaped by by (18 mins.) WA6BXY (80 mins.) 80. V63-KC6-P29, by KQ1F & K1XM, slide copy by Jim Hurt & 44. R9ZF/NN7A, NN7D & W7YS, August 1989, Lake Teletskoye, Harry Owen, W4VWA (25 mins.) Siberia (30 mins.) 81. Desecheo, KP5, 1992/3, with KW2P, NØTG, WA4DAN, 45. VU7, Laccadive Island, 1984 (65 mins.) WØRJU & AA4VK (28 mins.)

Spring/Summer 2005 Page 15 2005 Contribution The Northern California DX Foundation relies heavily upon the generosity of its members to fund s r r TM various projects. We urge each member to consider making an annual contribution of US$50 or its equiva- lent in foreign currency. However, we do not wish to exclude anyone from the Foundation for financial rea- sons. If $50 is not within your budget, then please give what other amount you can. Naturally, we welcome contributions in excess of $50! The NCDXF is an organization described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and all contributions are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law for U.S. taxpayers. Name______Call sign______❑ New member ❑ Renewal Contribution $250 ❑ Address______$100 ❑ ______$50 ❑ Other $_____ ❑ E-mail______Please also send me the following Foundation supplies: _____ NCDXF Pin (s) @ $6 each. _____ Roll(s) of NCDXF labels @ $6 each _____ NCDXF Rubber Stamp(s) @ $6 each Are your name, address and callsign on the newsletter mailing label correct? ❑ Yes ❑ No Use the envelope supplied with the newsletter to send this form along with your contribution. If the envelope is miss- ing, send your contribution to: Northern California DX Foundation, P.O. Box 1328, Los Altos, CA 94023-1328, USA. ❑ My check is enclosed Please charge my ❑ Visa ❑ MasterCard Card number______Exp date:______

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