NH8S, Swains Island DXpedition 2012, OC-200

http://www.nh8s.org/

NH8S, Swains Island DXpedition 2012, OC-200

IOTA OC-200
	Swains Island DXpedition Scheduled for September 5 - 18, 2012

July 17, 2012 Press Release Craig (K9CT) and Joe (W8GEX) are happy to report that preparations for the NH8S Swains Island DXpedition are on schedule.  The 20 man international team should be on the island from September 4, thru September 17.  Swains is # 31 most wanted worldwide. They will operate all bands with SSB, CW and RTTY. A big thank you goes to John (N7CQQ) and Paul (W8AEF) for their time in building and testing the SVDA's that will be used.  Thanks also to Paul (W6XA) and Tom (N4XP) for testing the radios, amps and laptops. All of the equipment has been shipped to Arnie (N6HC) in California for the upcoming departure via cargo ship later this week.  The QSLing will be handled by Joe (AA4NN) with help from his XYL Margarett.  Plans are to upload logs daily by satellite phone from the island to Clublog. We are very grateful to our equipment sponsors, including: ICOM, Elecraft, VIbroplex, Innovantennas, DX Engineering, Heil Sound, Primus, Hi-Z Antennas, and The RF Connection.  Also to Kimo (KH7U) for the 160m vertical, and George (W8UVZ) for the Battle Creek Special. We have updated our website with pictures, operating information and links.  Thanks to John (K6MM) for doing the webmaster duties. There will be a great emphasis placed in working Europe where Swains is most needed.  We will have several receiving antennas aimed that direction. It will be very hot and humid, and mosquitoes should be plentiful, so please have patience with the operators.  We ask that you listen to the operator instructions to ensure we are able to work as many stations as possible.  Please refer to our operating guidelines on the Band Plan page: http://nh8s.org/pages/bandplan.html This tent and generator operation is a very expensive endeavor, and the group is most grateful for the foundations, clubs and individuals who have already contributed.  For those that would like to donate, you may do so from our website: www.nh8s.org. The skilled international crew that is looking forward to working you includes: 9V1FJ, AA4NN, DJ2VO, DL3DXX, K5AB, K9CS, K9CT, K9NW, KB8OCP, N2TU, N4HH, N6HC, NA6M, ND2T, SM5AQD, W4BUW, W6KK, W8GEX, W8TN, and WB9Z. The team is grateful for the opportunity to activate a rare DXCC entity and, hopefully, work thousands of other DXers worldwide.  We look forward to having fun and making life-long friends. CU in the pileups! And don't forget to sign our Guestbook -- just click on the Coconuts! 73, Your NH8S Team Operating Plan We want you in our log, so please help us by following these guidelines. If you cannot hear us - please don't call us. Wait until propagation and conditions favor your QTH for one or more of the 11 Bands and 3 Modes. Eventually you WILL have a clear path to Swains Island. Be patient. Unless you hear otherwise from the Operator, we will ALWAYS be operating in SPLIT MODEthroughout the DXpedition. Listen to the Operator for RX frequencies (e.g., "up 5 to 10", or "listening on 7.155", etc.) You have two ears and one mouth, so please try to listen more, talk less. Be patient. During SSB pileups, please announce your full call clearly -- ONCE -- using common phonetics. During ALL pileups, listen for YOUR call on the comeback. Trust that we have two good ears. We're not impressed by those who add to the QRM by constantly calling out of turn. Be patient. Please do not Tune Up on any of our TX frequencies or any of our RX slots! If we ask for "EU" only or "QRP only" or any other specific request, please QRX. Be patient. Resist those "insurance" QSOs. We want to maximize unique QSOs, not Dupes. Whenever possible, we will try to listen in the General portion of the band. Remember: We want you in our log. Please help us get you there. Tentative Schedule NH8S Band Plan Our Transmit Frequencies  Arrival 5-Sept-2012 Band (M) CW SSB RTTY  Setup 5-Sept-2012 160 1.826.5  Start 6-Sept-2012 80 3.503 3.790 3.580 Stop 18-Sept-2012 60 5.403.5 5.403.5  Teardown 18-Sept-2012 40 7.003 7.082 7.035  Departure 19-Sept-2012 30 10.103 10.148 20 14.003 14.185 14.080 17 18.079 18.140 18.099 15 21.003 21.285 21.080 12 24.894 24.955 24.901 10 28.003 28.485 28.080 6 50.107 50.107 Swains Island IOTA OC-200 Swains Island is an atoll in the Tokelau chain. Culturally a part of Tokelau, it is an unincorporated unorganized territory of the United States administered by American Samoa.  Swains Island has also been known at various times as Olosenga Island, Olohega Island, Quiros Island, Gente Hermosa Island, and Jennings Island.  Owned by the Jennings family and used as a copra plantation, Swains Island has a population of 37 Tokelauans, who harvest the island's coconuts. Coordinates: 11°03′20″S 171°04′40″W http://www.nh8s.org/