The Ohio/Penn Dx PacketCluster
DX Special Bulletin No. 1429.1
BID: $OPDX.1429.1
September 1, 2019
Editor Tedd Mirgliotta, KB8NW
Provided by BARF80.ORG (Cleveland, Ohio)
Written/Sent from Strongsville, Ohio

Thanks to the Northern Ohio Amateur Radio Society, Northern Ohio DX
Association, Ohio/Penn PacketCluster Network, the AB5K's AR Clusters
Network and K5GS for the following DX information.

For Immediate Release
Press Release #6 [edited]
September 1, 2019
South Orkney Islands DX-pedition
VP8/VP8DXU
(AN-008)

Corporate Sponsors -- We are delighted to announce that Low Band Systems
will supply their High-Power Bandpass Filters for all planned bands. This
complement of best in class filters, in conjunction with vertical and
horizontal polarized antennas, will allow us to operate two stations on
the same band simultaneously and improve overall inter-station operability.

 DX-peditions to the Southern Ocean are challenged by high winds which
may result in downed antennas unless adequately guyed. Joining our corporate
sponsors are Mastrant Antenna Guying and Clamcleat Limited. We?ll use a
selection of their antenna support products to keep the masts in the air.
We appreciate the confidence these new sponsors have in our project and
team.

Project Major Milestones -- During the week of October 20th team members
will meet near Palo Alto, California to consolidate, integrate, test and
pack the equipment for its transport to Punta Arenas, Chile. Arrangements
were made for our customs broker to transport the tents and all other
equipment to their depot where a container will be prepared for the
journey.

 The team began making their travel arrangements to meet the Braveheart
in Chile. At their own expense airline reservations are being booked,
and a Punta Arenas hotel will house the team. 

 Braveheart left New Zealand on August 20th to meet her contractual
obligations in the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, including VP6R Pitcairn
Island DX-pedition, first stop Papeete, French Polynesia. She will return
home sometime in April, 2020.

Fundraising -- The inconvenient truth is amateur radio DX-peditions to
the Southern Ocean, and other rare entities that require a ship charter,
are expensive. While the team members will shoulder much of the cost of
the project, we depend on corporate sponsors, clubs/foundations and
individuals to share the cost. Ham radio is our hobby, businesses require
full payment for their services.

 To date, 37 clubs / foundations and over 300 individuals have shown
their support for the project. With 6 months before sailing we are at
48% of our fundraising goal. 

 A subsequent DX-pedition to South Orkney Island will likely not take
place for a long time. If you need South Orkney for an ATNO, band fills,
or plan to play in the pileups, we would appreciate your help before we
sail.

Ham Radio Events -- With the project still in the planning stage, we?ve
agreed to participate at the following events:

 - Ham Radio (June, 2020) Friedrichshafen, Germany 
 - Asia Pacific DX Convention (November, 2020) Osaka, Japan

 In closing, we?ve been in contact with Silvano, I2YSB, of the Italian
DX Team. Their recently announced DX-pedition to Tanzania will not overlap
our South Orkney project. Good luck to Silvano and his team. 

73, Team VP8/VP8DXU
Website: https://sorkney.com/

Please direct your questions to: info@sorkney.com