Press Release #3 March 23, 2018 VP6D Ducie Island 2018 DX-pedition (OC-182)
Joining the team is Ken Karr NG2H. A CW enthusiast, Ken was most recently a member of the VK0EK Heard Island 2016 DX-pedition team. Ken was first licensed in 1955 and credits Amateur Radio for launching his interests in science, engineering and oceanography. Ken is retired from the US Navy; his assignments included commanding two nuclear fast attack submarines and serving as the senior member of the Navy’s Atlantic Fleet Operational Reactor Safeguards Examination team. We are very happy to welcome Ken to the team.
With the cooperation of Elecraft and the Baker Island KH1/KH7Z DX-pedition team we will share the same Elecraft equipment. Upon its return to California the Elecraft equipment will be tested, configured and repacked for shipment to the Braveheart in New Zealand. Elecraft offered their assistance to expedite the process. We appreciate the willingness of both Elecraft and the Baker team to support VP6D.
Joining our list of corporate sponsors is Cornelius Paul DF4SA of Spiderbeam GmbH whose products will be added to the antenna plan.
Providing an All Time New One (ATNO) is a key objective of VP6D. We will keep stations on 20 meter SSB and CW as propagation permits. Additionally, FT-8 may also provide DXers an ATNO opportunity during periods of poor conditions.
As previously reported, we kicked off our fundraising campaign with a generous grant from the Northern California DX Foundation, followed by individuals, DX clubs and foundations. We especially appreciate the support from the following European organizations: German DX Foundation, Swiss DX Foundation, UK DX Foundation, European DX Foundation, Mediterraeno DX Club (Italy), Clipperton DX Club (France), GM DX Group (Scotland), Radio Society of Great Britain, LA DX Group (Norway), OHDXF (Finland), and the British Amateur Radio Teledata Group (BARTG). Like any DX-pedition to a rare entity, we will continue to actively solicit financial support.
Of course, we appreciate the clubs, foundations and individuals that have already supported the project with their donations. A current list of all donors is available at: vp6d.com
73, Team Ducie – 2018 Website: vp6d.com Twitter and Facebook Please direct questions to: info@vp6d.com
Press Release #4 April 16, 2018 VP6D Ducie Island 2018 DX-pedition (OC-182)
We are now in the implementation phase of the project; equipment is being consolidated in Fremont, California. Customs brokers in the USA and New Zealand have been selected, and the New Zealand Government issued us an import / export license to ship the equipment to and from the country.
Manufacturers and distributors of amateur radio equipment are critical to the success of DX-peditions to rare entities. We are happy to have received significant support from DX-Engineering. They have furnished coax cable, guy ropes, a 40 meter four square system, coax connectors, ground anchors and other accessories. DX-Engineering has been a long time supporter of our projects and many other DX-peditions to rare entities; we very much appreciate their continued commitment to the hobby.
Joining our list of corporate sponsors is SteppIR Communications Systems. We will add to our antenna lineup two 2 element Yagi antennas. These antennas proved to be indispensible during our TX3X Chesterfield Island project; we’re happy to have them for VP6D and appreciate SteppIR’s ongoing support.
A Garmin InReach Satellite Communicator will be used during the DX-pedition. You will be able to follow our journey on the web, details to be announced. This handheld unit also provides 2 way SMS messaging similar to that of a traditional mobile phone, and one way messaging to Twitter and Facebook. We will use this technology to communicate with family, the pilot team and to update you via social media, as required. We’ll also have an Inmarsat BGAN terminal for log uploads and e-mail with the pilot team.
Our budget for this project is $175,000 (USD). Our current fundraising campaign is underway; you may see the progress at our website. We appreciate the donations and equipment support we’ve already received. With the final payment for the Braveheart due on September 1st, the next most expensive line item is equipment shipping budgeted at $20,000. Please remember, we have to pay these expenses whether or not you make a contact. We need your help to keep our DX-pedition team’s investment at a reasonable level. You may help by donating at: vp6d.com
Members of the VP6D team will be attending the International DX Convention, Visalia, California April 20 – 22, 2018. We hope to meet many old friends, and make new ones at the convention.
73, Team Ducie – 2018
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