Author - Charles M0OXO

As reported in Spaceweather.com ; A gigantic hole in the sun’s atmosphere has opened up and a broad stream of solar wind is flowing out of it. This is called a “coronal hole.” It is the deep blue-colored region in this extreme UV image from NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory.

Coronal holes are places in the sun’s atmosphere where the magnetic field unfurls and allows solar wind to escape. In the image above, the sun’s magnetic field is traced by white curving lines. Outside the coronal hole, those magnetic fields curve back on themselves, trapping solar wind inside their loops. Inside the coronal hole, no such trapping occurs. Solar wind plasma is free to fly away as indicated by the white arrows.

For much of the next week, Earth’s environment in space will be dominated by winds flowing from this broad hole. This should activate some beautiful Arctic auroras. NOAA forecasters estimate a 65% of polar geomagnetic storms today as Earth moves deeper into the solar wind stream.

G3KMA, 12 Oct 2015”

Following the RSGB Board decision at this weekend’s RSGB Convention we can now move to formally setting up the new organisation. This may take a few months. The exact format may undergo some changes but we can say that, once launched, it will have full control of IOTA management, finances, budgeting, IT, strategy, promotion and marketing. The programme remains owned by the RSGB. I cannot go into further detail at this stage but I am sure that you will agree that the immediate future presents a number of challenges. Over the years I have received a number of offers of help with management most of which I was not able to call in because strategic decisions were awaited. If any of you feel that you can help in a particular area (maybe an additional area to what you are already doing!) or know someone in IOTA who is keen to help and would be an asset, please let me know. As the situation develops, we will keep you informed.

If you wish, you may publish the text of the two website notices above. However, please be careful not to stretch your interpretation of the notices beyond what they say! 

Looking forward to a new horizon.

Best regards

Roger

Roger Balister, G3KMA

Also received today was the card from the Russian Robinson Club for their recent activation of AS-082 also during the IOTA Contest 2015.

The team of 6 RRC Members activated Brusneva Island in the high Artic as R3RRC/0 for a very rare one indeed.

Brusneva Island, is a small island in the Laptev Sea. It is located off the eastern side of the Lena delta in the Tiksi Bay, only 5 km ENE of Tiksi. Its length is 2.3 km and its maximum breadth less than 1 km.

Thanks to Eugene RZ3EC for the fast dispatch of the beautiful 4 sided card.

Qsl Card arrived today for the recent activation of EU-142.

Mouro Island was activated by the ED1M Team as EC7AKV/1 during the 2015 IOTA Contest and was one of the last few remaining EU IOTA’s i needed.

Needless to say I was very pleased to receive the Qsl Card today.

Thanks to the team!

During early July, plans started to firm up for a DXpedition to Coetivy Island AF-119NEW. Such was the interest in this project, our experienced team was in place within moments of invitations going out to join this exciting island activation.

In a little over 6 weeks from now, the S79C team will be on air from the South Indian Ocean looking to work as many uniques as possible. Planning and logistics are now complete and we’re confident of giving out this new IOTA group to many.

We are deeply encouraged by the level of support, both individually and through organisations who realise this IOTA activity is not a holiday style operation, but rather to a remote destination hundreds of miles from anywhere. Our aim is to work all corners of the globe using a combination of verticals and hexbeams placed near the waters edge. This November timeframe was chosen to maximise propagation paths to all geographical areas. We want your QSO!

Our most difficult path from this brand New IOTA group is to West Coast North America. Special attention will be given to this area as we realise that even regular S7 is still much needed – # 53 most wanted DXCC infact! We are puzzled, however, that to date, all groups and organisations contacted from this area have refused our funding requests. Nonetheless, we will focus on this tricky path during peak propagation times. Let’s remember the ‘forgotten West Coast’ .

Such is the extreme expense of activating this brand new IOTA, we appreciate every single donation being made. We urge those considering to donate to please do so before, during or after our DXpedition. Remember, advance donors will be rewarded with a free QSL (see http://af119new.com/donate)

Just before we leave our homes in mid-November we will issue a last minute update. In addition, twitter @af119 will be in use as we journey to Coetivy island. Please see http://af119new.com for latest information.

Thank you,
Team S79C

Masa JA0JQV will be qrv from Jamaica as 6Y5/JA0RQV between the 24th October & 9th December 2015.

He will be on a business trip and his primary location will be a Hotel in the Capital Kingston. Masa may also move locations for the CQWW SSB Contest between the 24th & 25th October and use the Callsign 6Y5WJ from St. Elizabeth although he does tell me ”not a full time serious effort though!”. 

Qsl is via M0OXO Direct or OQRS. Bureau Cards are NOT required so please use OQRS for ALL bureau requests.

During the last months we have been very glad to present our DX expedition on Tromelin Island, FT4TA in a large number of countries. We have shared with many of you this amazing adventure during DX conventions, meetings and hamfest. Each time, our team has been warmly welcomed, thanks.

In addition to our book (available online since a few months), we are very proud to announce the publication of the video “FT4TA Tromelin 2014″ on You Tube. You will (re)discover the beautiful landscapes of this extraordinary island.

The Tromelin chapter is now history and we focus 200% on Juan de Nova 2016. You can trust in our team to make this project a new success.

Click image to view Video. Thanks DX World, Daily DX.

Listen for Ant MW0JZE as he operates holiday style from the Island of Kos.

Ant will be qrv from Kos from this weekend 19th September for around two weeks. He will be SV5/MW0JZE and his operation will be primarily RTTY on whichever bands are open.

Kos is a Greek island, part of the Dodecanese Island Group (IOTA EU-001) in the southeastern Aegean Sea, off the Anatolian coast of Turkey.

The island measures 40 by 8 kilometres (25 by 5 miles), and is 4 km (2 miles) from the coast of Bodrum, Turkey, (the ancient Halicarnassus) and the ancient region of Caria. It has a population of around 35,000.

Qsl Cards are already printed and are available via M0OXO OQRS or Direct Mail to M0OXO home address.

VK4AAC/5 QSL arrived today.

This card confirmed the activation of Kangaroo Island, South Australia, IOTA OC-139 from the recent activation during the IOTA Contest 2015.

I have been looking to confirm this one for some time after a previous contact failed to get confirmed so really pleased to receive the card today.