7O8AD & 7O8AE – Socotra Island, Yemen

1st November 2023
Two operators will be QRV Nov 3rd to Nov 16th , licenses issued are 7O8AD (Ken) and 7O8AE (Shani)
This is a ‘Tent and generator” operation, limited facilities at Dhihamri, grid locator LK72CQ
7O8AD Ken: 1x CW + 1xFT8 (SO2R light) & 7O8AE Shani: 1xSSB
It means 7O8AE is the SSB call and 7O8AD is the CW/FT8 call.
100W RIGs: Three 100W stations. No amplifier due to weight restrictions.
Band: 160-10m. No band plan, use the VFO. FT8 will be WSJT-X F/H or MHSV – never on standard frequency.
Antennas: Verticals and VDA close to saltwater, clear beach take off.
All antenna support material will be constructed on the spot by material we can source locally. For that reason 40-10m will be installed first, then 160+80m.
Especially for 160/80m it means splicing wood poles and make a temporary support structure for the (toploaded) wire – so please be patient for low band.
 
Media officer/WW Pilot: Steve N2AJ , [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>
ALL questions during the operation to Steve, team will not monitor or answer any emails. We have no internet access, as we only have satellite connection to pilot via Garmin + HF (!). Updates will be posted here https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100071248478706
 
QSL manager M0OXO – LOG will be uploaded AFTER DXpedition.
OQRS will open once Charles receives the logs. ALL QSL questions to Charles, team will not answer any questions related to QSL or LOG.
Donations/OQRS for both callsigns is via paypal – [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> All upfront supporters will get their LoTW + Direct QSL cards automatically.
OQRS Direct, OQRS Buro or Direct mailed. No paper buro cards. Complete log will be uploaded to LoTW.
 
No busted callsign enquiries for FT8, if your computer gets lost, work us again.
I will personally make a humanitarian donation to UNCHR Yemen once I return home – anyone wanting to support this humanitarian fundraiser can use the PayPal address – and please label that separate donation “Humanitarian aid”. 500 houses in Socotra, Yemen were partially or fully damaged during a cyclone last week. All humanitarian donations will be transferred 100% to UNCHR Yemen, and everyone who contributes will be listed and thanked.
 
Thank you!
73 Ken
LA7GIA

W8S Swains 2023 – Recovered ‘Lost’ QSO’s

30th October 2023

”Hello,

After questions about missing QSO’s on the 15th of October on 30m FT8 we have carefully investigated the logs again. We noticed some problems with the integration of WSJT-X and N1MM on a laptop in camp Red.

We have corrected this issue which resulted in 2000+ more QSO’s being added to our log.

Charles, our QSL manager, has added the missing QSO’s to his OQRS, Clublog and to LOTW (if applicable).

Sorry for this mistake, but finally the QSO’s are found and will be confirmed.

On behalf of the W8S Swains 2023 team,

Ronald PA3EWP”

SQ1K Barts Shop

29th October 2023

Looking for quality embroidery and personalised Ham Radio gear? Check out SQ1K Barts Shop for T. Shirts, Hoodies, Coats, Hats, Patches and many many more items.

Email [email protected]

Facebook (1) Facebook

Phone +48 663 808 343

International Reply Coupons (IRC)

29th October 2023

If you need International Reply Coupons, I usually have a small amount of correctly stamped and in date ones.

Check out the IRC Shop where you will see the amount currently available. Please email me if you wish to buy any of the current stock.

IRC Shop – M0OXO

W8S Swains – QRT

17th October 2023
As we all noticed W8S Swains is QRT.
 
”With a QSO number of almost 90K we can safely say this goal is met.
Here we have the team, tired but satisfied, having their final meeting in base camp on the island.”

XW0LP Laos

5th October 2023
Qsl Cards are currently being printed by Gennady UX5UO on behalf of Simon XW0LP in Laos.
 
Simon, a School Teacher in Laos has just moved to a new QTH in Luang Prabang, which has a large garden. He is also back on top band with an inverted L antenna and FT8 on 1840 KHz, (but this top band antenna is not yet optimised). He has installed an elevated quarter wave fan dipole for 40m/20m/17m/12m and 10m (15m and 6m are resonant from the other elements).
 
He is also authorised to use 6m because he is a resident in Laos, not a visiting tourist. This new QTH has a much clearer path to EU, which was previously all but blocked by a high hill next to my house.
 
Simon’s first Log is available on M0OXO OQRS now, Qsl Cards are expected in 3-4 weeks. All donations made will go to providing Text Books for Children in the Schools where Simon teaches and for other needs in the educational charity which he runs in Laos.
 

PR0T Trinidade & Martim Vaz Island

16th September 2023

PT2IC, PY1ZV and PY6RT plan an operation for 3-4 days in November, callsign PR0T at the PY0T station. Currently planned is CW, SSB andFT8 with a multiband vertical. Operating remote on FT8 will be PY4AZ, PY8WW, PY7RP, PY5EG, PY2XB, PY5KD, PY2WAS and apparently one or two “guests” in addition.

The team, apparently the first three, will be there for 3 days during the change of crew of the Brazilian Navy that are stationed on the island. The bands will be 40-10, and 160 and 80 possible “if conditions allow.” The three ops on the island will do the CW and SSB and the other nine will do FT8 remote. CW and SSB will be at one camp with the FT8 operation as much as 400 meters away. The vertical on CW and SSB will be a BigIR IV or S9. At the FT8 site it’s a DXE-MBVE 5A and a Starlink connection. www.PR0T.com.br

The team will stay in place for about 3 days during the change crew of the Brazilian Navy that resides on the island. We will be on the air from 10 to 40m. 80 and 160m only if local conditions allow.

QSL via M0OXO OQRS