Thursday, September 26, 2013

DXFUN Cluster | Improvements, upgrades, help desk…

http://blog.dxfuncluster.com/

DXFUN Cluster | Improvements, upgrades, help desk…



SEARCH CRITERIA


Time to time search function must be improved due the new callsigns options and other minor database modifications so we must put an eye into this.
Spots database is growing, so search criteria must be accurate.
After some major improvements that you already know, we have focused to speed up search function and correct some minor errors.
One of the major improvements that we can announce is that the search criteria has been modified and when you try to search for:
LW1EB
You will be able to view on the search results, spots from the following callsigns:
LW1EB
LW1EB/XXX
Note that other callsigns like: LW1EBX, LW1EBY, LW1EBX/YYZ will not be on the search results.


ONLINE USER MAP

Last days we have been working very hard with maps…
New google maps version has been introduced as standard and old code is going to not be functional on the near future, so we have ported the maps to the new version.
As you maybe had seen, the online user map has been redesigned with the code and features.
Now you will be able to view different symbols for each zone depending on who many users are one the same dxcc or zone, depending of the zoom factor you used.
If you haven’t seen it, take a look and enjoy!
http://www.dxfuncluster.com/online_map.php


XML DATA FROM QRZ.COM

We can announce that right now we are able to fill some of the Qso details from the qrz.com database.
With this information you will be able to log any spot or any manual qso that you enter into your logbook.
This new feature is available right now, without any extra cost for you.
We hope that you will enjoy this new option!


USER PAGE IMPROVED

We had improved the section of the user page.
Some reorganization of the contents has been done and new features added.
For example we have added the option to view graphs and statistics of the user.
And a new improved location map with new features available.
So take a look on this link: http://dxfuncluster.com/qrz.php?u=DXFUN


GRAY LINE MAP

Finally done! … sorry well done !
A new option has been improved on the TOOLS menu.
You are able to view a real time weather and gray line map all in one.
We are using a very new code on this section and most important is that is beautiful!
Click here for view a example

SPOTS CODE


The last couple of weeks we have improved the spots code. When a new spot is coming to the system this must do a “small tour” before is published.
This “small tour” has been improved so much and right now it takes a few milliseconds to be on the spot list.
The code can be adjusted to be a “real time” system but server requirements for all of our visitors will be very high so we must adjust it depending on the server load.
Some new exciting features are coming very soon, so stay tunned!

Eastern Island, Chile 2013

http://easterisland2013.com/


A team consisting CX4CR, CX3AN, CX2AM, CX3CE, CX8FB, CX2FR,CX4AAJ, CE0YHO, EA7FTR , EA5HPX and LU2NI will be operating from Hanga Roa, Easter island between November 1-7, 2013.

They will run 3 stations simultaneously – 160m-6m CW/SSB/DIGI.

Easter Island (Rapa Nui: Rapa Nui, Spanish: Isla de Pascua) is a Polynesian island in the southeastern Pacific Ocean, at the southeasternmost point of the Polynesian Triangle. Easter Island is famous for its 887 extant monumental statues, called moai, created by the early Rapa Nui people. In 1995, UNESCO named Easter Island a World Heritage Site, with much of the island protected within Rapa Nui National Park.

Polynesian people settled on Easter Island in the first millennium CE, and created a thriving culture, as evidenced by the moai and other artifacts. However, human activity, the introduction of the Polynesian rat and overpopulation led to gradual deforestation and extinction of natural resources, which caused the demise of the Rapa Nui civilization. By the time of European arrival in 1722, the island's population had dropped to 2,000–3,000 from a high of approximately 15,000 just a century earlier. In recent times the island has served as a warning of the cultural and environmental dangers of exploitation. Diseases carried by European sailors and Peruvian slave raiding of the 1860s further reduced the Rapa Nui population, down to 111 in 1877.


Easter Island is one of the most remote inhabited islands in the world. The nearest inhabited land (50 residents) is Pitcairn Island at 2,075 kilometres (1,289 mi), and the nearest continental point lies in central Chile, at 3,512 kilometres (2,182 mi).

Easter Island is a special territory of Chile that was annexed in 1888. Administratively, it belongs to the Valparaíso Region and more specifically, is the only commune of the Province Isla de Pascua. According to the 2012 census, it has about 5,800 residents, of which some 60% are descendants of the aboriginal Rapa Nui.



The QSL Manager for Easter Island is EB7DX:

 
David Liañez Fernández
PO Box 163
21080 Huelva
(SPAIN)

DIRECT QSL
For all direct request, please send a self addressed envelope with:
2 US$ or 1 Euro for all destinations.
NO IRCs
NOT IN LOG?If you cannot find your callsign in the LOG but are sure to have a valid contact, please send your request to EB7DX after carefully checking the QSO details (date, time, band and mode) with our operators.
Every request will be considered in order to debug any possible log entry error.
Thank you for your understanding

LOTW CONFIRMATIONS
All QSOs will be confirmed via LOTW.
BUREAU CONFIRMATIONS
Spanish QSL Bureau.
"Online QSL Request System (OQRS) will be available for direct and bureau QSL requests".

So you want to go on a DXpedition?

http://n6pse.wordpress.com/2013/09/25/so-you-want-to-go-on-a-dxpedition/



So you want to go on a DXpedition?

I’m often asked, how does one get invited to join a Dxpedition? That’s a good question and one that I pondered myself for some time before I decided to mount my own Dxpedition.

When I was asking that question, I was given some good and some poor advice. I was told that I must send/receive CW at 40WPM. Well I can’t do that. I was told that I must win a major contest. Well, as much as I love DXing, I’m not one to operate continuously for 24-36 hrs at a stretch. My QTH is not in any way competitive for contesting, so I’ve not tried.

The best way to get invited to join a Dxpedition is to conduct one’s self as a solid, mature and disciplined operator. It’s good to attend IDXC at Visalia or the Hamvention in Dayton and rub elbows with those in the Dxpeditioning circles. Let them know who you are and what you can do.

Some of the major DXpeditions are seeking fast rate or elite operators. DXpeditions to less rare locations are seeking collaborative team members who want to have fun and make thousands of contacts. This is probably the best place to start.

The Intrepid-DX Group believes in developing operators on DXpeditions. When possible, we welcome newer Dxpedition members and give them coaching and mentoring. We look for eager people who display great attitude along with aptitude. Stamina and perseverance are important. Dxpeditioning is not easy or for the timid. You often travel for 30 hours straight to get to your destination. Just when you feel like going to bed, you set up your antennas and stations. Then you operate for 4-6 hrs before you sleep. This is always the biggest challenge for me. Fortunately, upon arrival my adrenalin kicks in and I am so excited to get set up and on the air. There is always time for sleep later!

Dxpeditioning is expensive! Each operator is always responsible for their travel to/from the destination. You are responsible for your boat passage or hotel/meals onsite. The donations that are made to the Dxpedition cover costs such as shipping equipment, paying customs fees and buying consumable items that must be replaced on each trip. DXpeditioners should expect to spend $5000 to $10,000 in total to fully participate in a Dxpedition.

One must also properly set their expectations. DXpeditions do not stay in luxury. Everything is done to keep the costs down. Team members must be prepared to do a myrad of tasks including carrying and loading items, refueling generators and sometimes cooking!

All in all, participating in DXpeditions is really fun and I highly recommend it. Probably the best part is the long term memories and friendships that you make on the various trips. DXpeditioners are special people and they thrive on the excitement and the chase. Dxpeditioning has enhanced my life and I hope it enhances yours as well.

http://n6pse.wordpress.com/2013/08/18/is-pileup-behavior-getting-worse/

Is pileup behavior getting worse?

Pileup behavior is often being discussed by hams these days. Many of us (but not all of us) are growing more and more concerned at what we perceive as a rapid erosion of civility/decorum on the bands.

This reduces the fun and enjoyment of this hobby that we otherwise enjoy. Some notable Dxers attest that a proper operator can control or manage any pileup and that the behavior of the pileup is a direct reflection on the operator’s skill.

I think this statement was truer some years ago when there was more civility on the bands but someone making that statement today makes me think that they have not operated from a rare and highly sought after DX location in a long time!

If you have a rig with dual receivers or if you have the ability to use the REV function, you can monitor the pileup and the operator. These days you will hear many stations calling out of turn. The DX says “who was the N8?” and a K9 station continues calling. It’s even worse over in Europe. I have participated in a number of DXpeditions where we were beaming across Europe to our target areas.

While some of the European noncompliance seems to be related to language difficulties or misunderstanding the operator’s instructions, I also believe that there is less respect among some in Europe for their neighboring countries and they tend to operate their radios in the same wild and reckless fashion that they drive their cars in their country. Have you ever noticed the correlation between the way a country operates and the way they drive? There is something to be studied there.

I also believe that behavior is much worse now in what I call “run of the mill” DX. Regularly, I hear poorly behaved pileups for entities that are not rare. There is a sense of desperation among the callers. What is even more interesting is that many of the callers are Top of the Honor Roll guys. It seems for some that the pursuit of CQ Marathon Points, IOTA points or DXCC Challenge causes them to throw all civility and respect for others out of the window.

You may wonder, what can be done about this? Some have suggested that the operator call out the offender during the pileup or establish a “black list” and refuse to work the worst offenders. I suspect that calling out an errant caller is just inviting them to tune on you or otherwise jam you. I cannot get comfortable with black listing Dxers either. Sometimes things happen for a reason. Mistakes happen. We have all made mistakes now and then and without any chance to clear the air, no one should be black listed.

I believe the proper response to a poorly behaving pile up and for the operator to manage as best they can and not let anyone overly affect them. This is what I’ve seen the best operators do. If it gets really bad, I suggest to “QRX for ten minutes” and take a break. This gives the pileup time to settle down. It can be like pushing the “reset” button at times.

I think some peer pressure is also appropriate if we hear our friends or fellow club members calling out of turn or acting improperly on the bands. As for the European situation, that one is a tough problem. Having operated from EU many times I cannot ever get used to what I hear. It makes me glad to come home to where things are not quite as bad. Better still are the Japanese. Politeness and respect are central to their culture. This carries over into amateur radio. It is much less common to hear an errant JA operator in the pileups. Perhaps we should all be more polite and respect each other more.

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Fiji and Rotuma Islands DXpedition

http://www.3d2gc.com/



Between 20 September and 15 October 2013



VITI LEVU ISLAND  NADI, FIJI REPUBLIC  IOTA OC-016 RH82QF  as 3D2GC & 3D2DD

Stan - LZ1GC Andy - LZ2HM Rocky - 3D2DD
will be QRV on 160-6m bands, using ALL MODES



ROTUMA ISLAND
IOTA OC-060
as 3D2GC/P ,3D2RA
3D2DD/P


Your small donation

is more than welcome!


See you on the bands!

It is very expensive DX Pedition for me with total cost more than $7000. I was a part from 3D2R team in 2011.The main idea to be back to Rotuma island is to give a chance and QSO's to those of You who need this rare country on the bands! I'll QRV on CW & SSB on all HF bands!

See You on the bands !

73! Stan, LZ1GC ( also 3D2GC & 3D2GC/P )




Plans
Between 20 September 2013 and 15 October 2013 Stan (LZ1GC); Andy (LZ2HM) and Rocky (3D2DD )will be QRV on all HF bands (160-6 meters) - CW/SSB/DIGITAL from FIJI REPUBLIC - 3D2GC and ROTUMA ISL. - 3D2GC/P , 3D2RA and 3D2DD/P.
OUR PLANS:
1. From 20 September 2013 until 26 September 2013 Stan (3D2GC ) will activity on all HF bands (160 - 6 meters ) from "Club Fiji Resort", Nadi, Fiji Republic, Viti Levu Isl., IOTA OC-016, Grid. Loc . RH82QF. The activity will on CW/SSB/DIGITAL with equipment: Kenwood TS- 480 SAT + linear amplifier ACOM 1010/ACOM 1000. The antennas: EXP. GP 10- 40m., 80/160 meters INV. - L, GP.
2. From 27 September 2013 until 11 October 2013 Activity from IOTA OC-060, Rotuma Isl. - Stan 3D2GC/P will QRV on all HF bands, CW/SSB together with Andy, 3D2RA and Rocky, 3D2DD.
Rocky will also QRV, but only on SSB with call sign 3D2DD/P. Andy, 3D2RA will QRV on all HF bands, CW/SSB/DIGITAL and specially by EME on 6m band JT65A.
This DX Pedition will be available with the big help of Rocky, 3D2DD who take care for all organizations and transportation to Rotuma Island.
3. From 12 October 2013 until 15 October 2013 Activity again from Fiji Republic - 3D2GC. On 16 October 2013 Stan, LZ1GC will go back to Bulgaria.
FREQUENCIES:

BAND CW SSB RTTY SSTV PSK31
160 1.822 1.838 1.838 - 1.838
80 3.510 3.788 3.588 3.728 3.578
60 - - - - -
40 7.007 7.088 7.038 7.038 7.038
30 10104 - 10.138 - 10.138
20 14.010 14.188 14.088 14238 14.078
17 18.070 18.148 18.108 - 18.108
15 21.010 21.288 21.088 21338 21.078
12 24.892 24.948 24.918 - 24.918
10 28.010 28.488 28.088 28.688 28.078
6 50.100 50.118 50.200

September 22th, 2013
Today Stan 3D2GC is active on 18070MHz CW. Listening 3-5 up. Please listen before to call him. He plan to pick up a 80m vertcal tomorrow morning.



September 21th, 2013
Stan 3D2GC is active on 7.007 and 10.104 CW. Listening 3-5 up.
Please listen before to call him.


September 20th ,2013
3D2GC is on the AIR ...14014 Mhz up 3-5 CW NOW

September 18th ,2013
Today Stan LZ1GC depart from Sofia,Bulgaria .He expect to arrive to Nadi,Fiji in Friday
Sept.20th and will activate 3D2GC .



September 16th ,2013
After few days without communication with Rocky , he call us :
"Bula, Andy and Stan; ALL goods are on the Rotuma now ..."



We are very grateful for new friends donation and also CDXC (Chilter DX Club)support .
We sincerely hope we can satisfy your needs! We are seeking additional Club and
Individual Sponsors to help us defray the costs of carrying out this DXpedition.
Donations can be made via the 3D2GC web page www.3d2gc.com or
please send note to Andy \n This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. '>3D2RA E-mail

September 10th ,2013
Today Rocky 3D2DD packed all gear into the suitcases and boxes
All heavy items are go! ... yagies, generator, fuel,wires,pipes, ACOMs ...
Together with local friends delivery and loaded on the ship to Rotuma.
We have much more equipment than we plan to take ( without radios and computers )
Rocky planed to delivery all goods in Rotuma and back with same ship to wait for us.
two days to Rotuma one day stay and two days back....




September 4th ,2013
This will be our location RH87NM.

September 3rd ,2013
After many months of careful planning, we are pleased to announce that our preparationsare going according to plan. Rotuma is located in the South Pacific Ocean and is #73 on Club Log’s most wanted DXCC list after big activity in 2011 from 3D2R.
Stan 3D2GC will fly a next week and will meet with Rocky 3D2DD in Fiji on September 20nd ,2013 and will wait for Andy 3D2RA to come and departing by fly to Rotuma on September 27th ,2013.
The main goals of this DXpedition are to work every amateur radio operator who needs Rotuma for a new DXCC country.
In addition, we will be active on all bands from 1.8 MHz to 144 MHz.
In addition to CW, SSB and RTTY we will be active on PSK, SSTV and EME.
Special attention will be made to work by EME on 50MHz on JT65A and on HF will look far away stations such as Europe and Africa during those periods when propagation permits. The propagation window for EU and Africa is very brief at times and signals may be weak, so we ask everyone in the honored HAM SPIRIT to stand by when asked so that we may fulfill this need. Our destination will have a wide range of options and possibilities.
We plan to upload our logs on a daily basis to our on-line log.
We will upload to LOTW approximately six months following the DXpedition.
We wish everyone good propagation and we hope that you enjoy working us on air :
Stan (3D2GC/P), Andy (3D2RA) and Rocky( 3D2DD).
Our specially thanks to Mr. Oms - PP5EG, ARAUCARIA DX GROUP and GERMAN DX FOUNDATION for their big financial support !!! Thanks to Lance,W7GJ that supported us with 6M8GJ antenna! We will never forgot it!
We are very grateful to Gold Print Service, Silpa Ltd, ACOM Ltd, Nipon DX Association, UKSMG, Danish DX Group and all of the Clubs and individuals who have provided monetary support for this Dxpedition. We sincerely hope we can satisfy your needs! At this time, we are seeking additional Club and Individual Sponsors to help us defray the costs of carrying out this DXpedition. Donations can be made via the 3D2GC web pagewww.3d2gc.com .
At this time, we are seeking additional Club and Individual Sponsors to help us defray the costs of carrying out this DXpedition.

August 12th ,2013
The team of experienced amateur and friends Stan LZ1GC (3D2GC) ,Andy LZ2HM (3D2RA) and Rocky 3D2DD prepared a serious amateur expedition to the far island Rotuma, which belongs to the state Fiji, but it is very important for the amateur, because it counts as a separate country by DXCC list.
Our goal is to activate the beautiful island of Rotuma again in all amateur frequency from 1.8 MHz to 144 MHz and all amateur modes.Our team will work CW, SSB, FM, RTTY, SSTV, PSK,JT65A etc.
We plan to be active on 6m band thru the EME on JT65A .Thank you for great support from Lance W7GJ.
Andy 3D2RA will spent a more of his time to give chance on “Magic band” to catch our signal thru the Moon!!
Stan 3D2GC will be active from Fiji between September 20th ,2013 to September 26th,2013.
The team will gather at the September 26th in Fiji and expect a departure from airport of Nadi in September 27th ,2013.
The fly takes a few hours. We expect the first activity at amateur frequencies on 27th September 2013 evening and will be active the next 7-14 days.Returnto Fiji is expected October 11th, 2013 in the morning in the same fly where we came from.
Stan 3D2GC will stay few more days in Fiji from October 12th ,2013 to October 15th,2013.
We hope that the whole amateur world will enjoy the amateur activity and QSO's with our team.

June 5th ,2013
After few months of work and preparation one more friend will come with us on the Rotuma Andy LZ2HM (3D2RA).
He will be active on all band but will spent more time on 50MHz for JT65A operation thru the EME .

March 10th ,2013
After few activity from South-Pacific like a member of 3D2R & 3D2C Teams , Stan LZ1GC(3D2GC) start to plan to go back in Rotuma Island together with his friend Rocky 3D2DD . Start to prepare some antennas and equipment to send to Fiji to Rocky for this expedition.

QSL info
3D2GC and 3D2GC/P QSL information is via LZ1GC / DIRECT or BUREAU /
The cost of POSTAGES for DIRECT QSL is 2.5 USD / 2.0 EURO.
If You have PAYPAL, please use it to send money for postages. Please use GIFT/PERSONAL option.Then I not need your QSL and please send me only QSO details for checking!

PAYPAL is PREFERABLE !!! My PAYPAL address is: LZ1GC@ABV.BG
If You use LZ1GC QRZ.COM ADDRESS, then send your QSL, self addressed envelope + 1 IRC.
NOTE:Do not send US DOLLARS in the letter, because then I will never receive your letter !

3D2DD and 3D2DD/P op.Rocky QSL via INFO in QRZ.COM

3D2RA op.Andy QSL via INFO in QRZ.COM

Experiences & Conclusions – the other side of the Pile-up

http://dx-world.net/2013/experiences-conclusions-the-other-side-of-the-pile-up/

Experiences & Conclusions – the other side of the Pile-up

Guest post by Christian, EA3NT


Just arrived home from a 2-week tour of six IOTAs in Panama, and with pile-ups still fresh in my memory, I would like to share with amateur radio operators my conclusions on the most effective ways to conduct a pile-up, or work a DX station in a pile-up, where the expedition operator and thousands of callers must cooperate to achieve the highest number of QSOs.

Thousands of callers are looking for 1 QSO while the DX-operator looks for the highest possible QSO rate.

Needless to say that SPLIT operation is mandatory for pileups. So DX stations will be working in split mode from the very first CQ. Therefore, all callers should work split “by default”, without trying first their luck on calling the DX in simplex…as the usual response will be someone else answering “UP UP”….and this will create useless QRM which could be exponentially increased by police operators, LID, jokers and tuners.

A second kind of LID who breaks a good QSO rate are those TUNING on either the RX or TX freqs of the split. Please be aware that tuning on a clean frequency nearby will be equally effective and definitely will not cause QRM to either the other callers or even the DX station.

Please, CHECK YOUR VFO BEFORE TUNING !!!! (unless you are one of those who enjoys making deliberate QRM for any still-unknown reason)

The QSO rate obviously depends a lot on the operator’s skill to pick-up stations among many other callers. Usually, the easiest catch is the strongest station, and those stations calling lonely in a particular frequency of the split.

Sometimes though, the pile-up is so intense that it is difficult to pick-up anything at all…in such case one “trick” is calling “blindly” to a particular prefix that you know for sure will be calling…for example DL6, F4, JH1, IZ8, IT9…to say a few…

What I realised on this particular trip is that just calling “DL6”, or “F4”, or “IT9” was not enough….the people kept calling and calling,….so the only way to make people stop calling compulsively and listen was saying “59(9)”.

Whenever a report is given, 80% of callers stand by, while there is usually 20% still calling because they have not heard the report. This way the pileup clears out and one station can be picked up easily.

Returning to the QSO rate, not only the operator skills work, it is also the caller going through the pileup who must help. Too many times stations repeat their callsign, two or three times, and even say the DXpedition callsign, ending with TNX, 73 or something else. Please, first of all: There is absolutely NO NEED to mention the DXpedition callsign. The operator already knows it very well !!!

Also, if you hear your callsign clearly DO NOT REPEAT YOUR CALLSIGN AGAIN ! A simple direct 59(9)…or “QSL, 59, TNX” “R 5NN TU” is more than enough !

Only in case you are not sure your callsign has been picked-up correctly, then you can repeat it. Even the DX-operator may ask you to repeat again if there is QRM/QSB….but if you hear it clearly and you repeat it, you will only lose time and even create confusion to the operator, as he will think there is something not correct.

Please, the stations working CW with a computer, remove the callsigns from your MACROS !!! CW uses much shorter messages than digi modes, and many info is unwanted and unnecessary for an expedition.

Something I wanted to try if it was effective on CW was working a pile-up by numbers…and the conclusion is NEVER EVER AGAIN !!!!!
While an average pileup rate allowing any station to call can go from 150 to 220 QSOs/hour, working by numbers reduced the rate down to 75-80 QSOs/hour, and this “modality” may even make the callers more nervous, because the operator must repeat constantly which number he wants, otherwise any number will keep calling and calling.

As proof see 1 spot showing how inefficient working by numbers really is:

US4EI 10126.8 HP0INT/9 CW by numbers poor op …. 0627 15 Sep

So my comment to US4EI is: “ Sorry, I was testing this method, and obviously it is very slow…patience is a virtue ! ”

I would extend the “operating by numbers” technique is equally inefficient for SSB, because it may prevent some areas with a currently opened DX window to get the contact, while perhaps at their “turn” the window might already be closed, making it unfair. While, in the end, the key to get a high QSO rate is being fair to everybody, letting anyone try to make the QSO.

Perhaps, someone will be missing the word “discipline”. Well, it not my not intention to give a lesson to anyone, but simply share among the readers all my impressions during and after the pileups, and how I would have liked them to be. It is a fact that a high QSO-rate keeps the QRMers away, and the callers pay more attention to what the operator is saying, so there is less option to be QRMed. I think the most important fact is the cooperation between callers and dx-operator. So, if a particular callsign or group of letters is asked, nobody else, except the OM holding those letters should answer. Sometimes it happens ! but some other times the mess takes a while to disappear….I suggest to keep calling to the same station until the QSO is finalised, and let the callers (lids) realise that you will not continue calling anyone else until the QSO is done. Eventually, I even QRT for a while and let everybody relax for a few minutes…this turns out to work well!

Also, something I use to do whenever I have to repeat the callers callsigns and the 599 many times is monitoring my TX frequency. I often realise that there is someone making intentional QRM…well, in that case I use to QSY a few Kcs down/up so that I can be clear of any intentional QRM….I would keep moving up/down till my TX freq is clear and QSO rate is already good.

I am sure many experienced expeditioneers will have their own tricks for the pileups to run smoothly. But despite all, COOPERATION, CALM and COURTESY are key for a successful expedition.

Good DX and see you in the pileup !

VK9MT, Mellish Reef 2014

http://vk9mt.com/


Planning continues for the previously announced Mellish Reef DX-pedition scheduled for late March – early April, 2014.

Landing Authority:
Australia’s “Commonwealth Marine Reserve Operations Department” reviewed our DX-pedition project plan and requires that we follow their documented environmental protection regulations. Effective July 1, 2014 Mellish Reef becomes part of Australia’s new Coral Sea Marine Reserve proposal which implements additional restrictions to further protect the area’s ecology; we appreciate the Australian government’s cooperation and spirit of partnership in making this DX-pedition possible.


Band/Mode CW SSB RTTY
160 1,826.5
80 3,523 3,790
40 7,023 7,082 7,035
30 10,103 10,142
20 14,023 14,145 14,080
17 18,079 18,140 18,099
15 21,023 21,295 21,080
12 24,894 24,955 24,912
10 28,023 28,495 28,080

Operating guidelines.

We want you in our log, so please help us by following these guidelines.
Our goal is to give as many as possible an "All Time New One"
1. If you cannot hear us - please don't call. Wait until propagation and conditions favor your QTH for one or more of the Bands / Modes.
2. Unless you hear otherwise from the Operator, we will ALWAYS be operating in SPLIT MODE throughout the DXpedition.
3. Listen to the Operator for RX frequencies (e.g., "up 5 to 10", or "listening on 7.155", etc.)
4. You have two ears and one mouth, so please try to listen more, talk less. Be patient.
5. During SSB pileups, please use common phonetics, do NOT call continually without listening or call over a station being worked.
6. During ALL pileups, listen for YOUR call on the comeback. Trust that we have two good ears.
7. We're not impressed by those who add to the QRM by constantly calling out of turn.
8. Please do not Tune Up on any of our TX frequencies or any of our RX slots!
9. If we ask for "EU" only or "QRP only" or any other specific request, please QRX.
10. Resist those "insurance" QSOs. We want to maximize unique QSOs, not Dupes.
11. Whenever possible, we will try to listen in the General portion of the band.
12. Do not repeat our call sign, we know it.
Remember: We want you in our log. Please help us get you there.

QSL Manager: M0URX
DIRECT & BUREAU QSL INFORMATION:

Please direct your QSL requests Via M0URX with the following route options:

DIRECT QSL INFORMATION:
QSL requirements are US$2 Send your QSL to:
Mr Tim Beaumont M0URX
P.O. Box 17 Kenilworth
Warwickshire CV8 1SF
ENGLAND
Please also include a Self Addressed Envelope 114mm x 162mm .
NO Euro coins please !!!NO postage stamps accepted.
Due to many SASE being under paid, will be sent Via Bureau

ONLINE DIRECT QSL REQUEST VIA PAYPAL: OQRS DIRECT
Paypal: OQRS direct is 2 Euros (http://m0urx.com/oqrs/ )
(We pay 43c PayPal charge on every transaction)

Bureau QSL OQRS: (http://m0urx.com/oqrs/ )
If you require a QSL via the bureau please use the OQRS of M0URX and provide your QSO details to request a QSL to be sent via the bureau.
LOTW (LOGBOOK OF THE WORLD)

LoTW upload will be done at the earliest opportunity

Please remember we do not require YOUR QSL card Via the Bureau. Please help save Bureau costs. Only use the Online QSL Request System (OQRS)."QSL Via M0URX" Via Bureau only for those who do not have access to the Internet.

eQSL: Sorry, no eQSL

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Scandinavian Activity Contest 2013

http://www.sactest.net/blog/rules/



Rules

Rules for all participants

1. Aim of the contest


The aims of the contest are to promote amateur radio activity within Scandinavia as well as to encourage amateur radio communications between Scandinavian and non-Scandinavian amateur radio stations. Scandinavian stations will try to work as many non-Scandinavian stations as possible and vice versa.

Scandinavian stations are defined by prefixes as follows:

Svalbard and Bear Island JW
Jan Mayen JX
Norway LA – LB – LG – LJ – LN
Finland OF – OG – OH – OI
Aland Islands OFØ – OGØ – OHØ
Market Reef OJØ
Greenland OX – XP
Faroe Islands OW – OY
Denmark 5P – 5Q – OU – OV – OZ
Sweden 7S – 8S – SA – SB – SC – SD – SE – SF – SG – SH – SI – SJ – SK – SL – SM
Iceland TF

All other legal prefixes according to the ITU definition of Scandinavian prefixes are good for the contest and multipliers as well.

2. Eligible entrants

Radio amateurs all over the world are invited to participate.

3. Periods

CW: 3rd full weekend of September each year.
SSB: 2nd full weekend of October each year.

Starts 12:00:00 UTC Saturday and ends 11:59:59 UTC Sunday.

4. Sections

Scandinavian stations, other European stations, and non-European stations are placed in separate categories.
4.1 Single Op./Single TX

Single operator means that one person performs all operating, logging and spotting functions without any external assistance. The use of DX-Cluster, Skimmer or Skimmer-like technology (such as Reverse Beacon Network, RBN) is not allowed. The station must be located in one site, with the location determined by the physical location of the transmitters, receivers, and antennas. Asking and begging stations to announce ones own call on the DX-Cluster is NOT allowed.
4.1.1 For Scandinavian stations:
Multi Band – High Power [SINGLE-OP ALL HIGH]
Multi Band – Low Power (output 100 W or less) [SINGLE-OP ALL LOW]
Multi Band – Low Power Rookie (output 100 W or less) [SINGLE-OP ALL LOW] [CATEGORY-OVERLAY: ROOKIE]
Multi Band – Low Power Tribander/Single-element (output 100 W or less) [SINGLE-OP ALL LOW] [CATEGORY-OVERLAY: TB-WIRES]
Multi Band – QRP (output 5 W or less) [SINGLE-OP ALL QRP]
Single Band [SINGLE-OP 80M] [SINGLE-OP 40M] [SINGLE-OP 20M] [SINGLE-OP 15M] [SINGLE-OP 10M]

Multi-band entrants may participate in one of the ”Tribander/Single Element” or ”Rookie” categories by adding the line CATEGORY-OVERLAY: TB-WIRES or CATEGORY-OVERLAY: ROOKIE in their Cabrillo log file. Participants in the Tribander/Single Element category shall use only one triband antenna for 10, 15, and 20 meters, and single-element antennas for 40 and 80 meters. Participants in the Rookie category must be licensed less than 3 years before the CW contest starts.
4.1.2 For non-Scandinavian stations:
Multi Band – High Power [SINGLE-OP ALL HIGH]
Multi Band – High Power Assisted [SINGLE-OP-ASSISTED ALL HIGH]
Multi Band – Low Power (output 100 W or less) [SINGLE-OP ALL LOW]
Multi Band – QRP (output 5 W or less) [SINGLE-OP ALL QRP]

The Multi Band – High Power Assisted category allows the use of DX-Cluster, Skimmer, and Skimmer-like technology (such as RBN). The station must be located in one site, with the location determined by the physical location of the transmitters, receivers, and antennas.
4.2 Multi Op./Single TX/Multi Band [MULTI-ONE]

Only one signal may be transmitted on any band at any time (running station). When operation has started on one band, the station must remain on that band for at least 10 minutes. The 10-minute period starts with the first QSO worked on that band.

Exception: It is allowed to work a QSO on another band if it is a new multiplier (multiplier station). The multiplier station is allowed to be on the air at the same time as the running station. The multiplier station must also stay on the “multiplier band” at least 10 minutes.

The use of DX-Cluster, Skimmer, and Skimmer-like technology (such as RBN) is allowed. The station must be located in one site, with the location determined by the physical location of the transmitters, receivers, and antennas. Asking and begging stations to announce ones own call on the DX-Cluster is NOT allowed.
4.3 Multi Op./Multi TX/Multi Band [MULTI-MULTI]

This category is only for Scandinavian stations. There are no restrictions on the number of transmitters. Only one signal per band is allowed at any time. All equipment, including receivers, transmitters, and antennas must be located within a circle with a maximum diameter of 500 meters. Separate serial numbers are used for each band.

The use of DX-Cluster, Skimmer, and Skimmer-like technology (such as RBN) is allowed. Asking and begging stations to announce ones own call on the DX-Cluster is NOT allowed.

5. Frequency bands

The 3.5 – 7 – 14 – 21 – 28 MHz frequency bands may be used according to the IARU HF Band Plan. On 3.5 MHz, Region 1 stations must not transmit below 3510 kHz on CW or above 3790 kHz on SSB.

Note: On 7 MHz you may still want to work split on SSB between Scandinavia and Region 2 stations, since the Region 2 Band Plan upper frequency limit is 7300 kHz.

6. Contest exchanges

The contest exchange consists of RS(T) plus serial number starting with 001 (e.g. 59(9)001). (QSO’s after 999 are numbered 1000, 1001 etc). The same station may be worked once on each band. Cross-mode and/or cross-band QSO’s are not allowed. The minimum content of a valid contest QSO is a correct callsign and correct contest exchanges.

7. Scoring
7.1 For Scandinavian stations:

A two-way QSO with correct sent and received exchanges counts for QSO points.
EUROPEAN stations give two (2) points for every complete QSO.
NON-EUROPEAN stations give three (3) points for every complete QSO.
7.2 For non-Scandinavian stations:

A two-way QSO with correct sent and received exchanges counts for QSO points.
EUROPEAN stations credit their logs with one (1) point for every complete Scandinavian QSO.
NON-EUROPEAN stations credit their logs with one (1) point for every complete Scandinavian QSO on 14, 21, and 28 MHz and with three (3) points for every complete QSO on 3.5 and 7 MHz.

8. Multipliers
8.1 For Scandinavian stations:

Each worked non-Scandinavian DXCC country is valid for one multiplier for each band.
8.2 For non-Scandinavian stations:

Each worked prefix-number (Ø-9) in each Scandinavian country is valid for one multiplier for each band (e.g. SI3, SK3, SL3, SM3, 7S3 and 8S3 are all in ONE district and count for ONE (1) multiplier on each band).

Portable stations without a prefix number count for the 10th area (e.g. LA/G3XYZ counts for LAØ).

OHØ (Aland Is.) and OJØ (Market Reef) are separate call areas. SJ9 and SI9 counts for the 9th district in Sweden.

9. Final score

To calculate the final score, multiply the sum of QSO points on all bands with the sum of multipliers worked on all bands.

10. Logs

Logs must be submitted separately for CW and SSB, and the QSOs must be listed in chronological order.

By submitting a log, you agree that your log and the corresponding log checking report may be made open to the public.

Electronic submission of logs at http://www.sactest.net is required for all entrants. The website provides conversion tools and allows manual entry for those operators who have used a paper log while operating.

Use the CABRILLO format. Please ensure that you fill out all of the header information.

Please check your log for typing errors and leave all your QSOs in the log, dupes included. The log checking software will find the dupes and mark them with zero points.

11. Closing date for logs

Cabrillo logs or typed-in paper logs shall be uploaded no later than two weeks after the end of each part of the contest.

12. Awards

The top scoring station in each country, in each category, on both CW and SSB, will receive a Contest Award, provided a reasonable score is made.

Scandinavian winner stations will receive a Contest Plaque in the High-power, Low-power, Low-power Rookie, and Low-power Tribander/Single-element multi band categories.

The non-Scandinavian continental winners will receive a Contest plaque in the High-power multi band category, provided a reasonable score is made.

Depending on the number of participants, the Contest Committee may consider additional awards.

13. Scandinavian Cup

The Scandinavian Cup is a competition between the Scandinavian Regions as defined in §1. All entrants scores for both CW and SSB are accumulated to a total for each region. All logs except for checklogs are counted towards the total.A circulating trophy is awarded to the league of the region that wins the Cup.

14. Dispute

Violation of Amateur Radio Regulations in the country of the contestant or the rules of this contest, unsportsmanlike conduct and taking credit for unverifiable QSOs or multipliers may lead to disqualification.

The decisions by the Contest Committee are final and definite. The right to changes in these rules is reserved.

15. Organizer

The Nordic Radio Amateur Union (NRAU) is the organizer of the contest. Members of NRAU are EDR, FRA, IRA, NRRL, SRAL and SSA.

The contest is administered by a committee composed of one member each from Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden. Each national society takes sponsorship turns as indicated below:

CW: 2011 17-18 Sep, SRAL Finland
SSB: 2011 8-9 Oct, SRAL Finland

CW: 2012 15-16 Sep, SSA Sweden
SSB: 2012 13-14 Oct, SSA Sweden

CW: 2013 21-22 Sep, NRRL Norway
SSB: 2013 12-13 Oct, NRRL Norway

CW: 2014 20-21 Sep, EDR Denmark
SSB: 2014 11-12 Oct, EDR Denmark

CW: 2015 19-20 Sep, SRAL Finland
SSB: 2015 10-11 Oct, SRAL Finland

CW: 2016 17-18 Sep, SSA Sweden
SSB: 2016 8-9 Oct, SSA Sweden

CW: 2017 16-17 Sep, NRRL Norway
SSB: 2017 14-15 Oct, NRRL Norway

CW: 2018 15-16 Sep, EDR Denmark
SSB: 2018 13-14 Sep, EDR Denmark

CW: 2019 21-22 Sep, SRAL Finland
SSB: 2019 12-13 Oct, SRAL Finland

Folding Antennas

http://www.foldingantennas.com/gb/design.htm



The design

The folding beam is a 2-element directive antenna for five amateur bands (20/17/15/12/10m band, 6m band optional). It consists of wire elements attached to a support structure in a concentric way. The center post carries the support cords and is a coaxial feeder for the drivers. The driver/reflector arrangements are fixed to the fibreglass spreaders.


The feedpoint cord support is molded onto the center post. Connector SO-239 (N type socket optional at no extra cost)

The hub takes up six swivel spreaders and electrically isolates the center post from the mast or rotator underneath

The spreader sections are connected with locking swivel joints

open swivel joint


The spreader tips have rounded heads with zig zag slots for the support cords

The center post acts as a coaxial feeder, each driver is fed individually

Clamping the wires onto the spreaders is a snap with special clips!

Join wire ends and spacing cords with these universal detachable clamps

The top cap has spacers to provide air flow and easy moisture escape from the center post

These optional storm brackets will damp lateral spreader movement and prevent from folding up in strong wind gusts


Antenna collapsed to only 1.15 m (45") total length


Optional transportation & protection bag with shoulder straps

Optional large clamp-on ferrite for K9YC style common mode choke, 3 turns of cable up to 11.5 mm (0.45") O.D., shown here with RG-213. Perfect for portable use, easy to fit and to remove. No need to cut the connector (in opposite to using a string of ferrite beads).

Optional thick walled rotating guy ring for 30mm O.D. top section masts, no rope thimbles needed due to rounded edges.


Please find more pictures and information in the construction manual.