I was looking at the operating frequency list for the DX'pedition and noticed that the 40M operating frequency is 7.185 mHz. Does anyone besides me remember what mess that was with the OMISS net on a previous DX'pedition? I realize they don't own the frequency but they sure think they do.

John K7KB

Finally worked them on 17M SSB for a new one. The operator finally had to go by call area and was able to get through when he got to the 7's. Then I was able to work them through a normal pileup on 20M when they were working mainly EU. Good signal on 17M, copyable on 20 but not nearly as strong.

John K7KB

Just out of curiosity, I did a search for ZK3N, a known Tokelau DX'pedition coming up this April on the database and it also showed no results. So either the NZ License authority search engine is messed up, or they don't bother to keep the database up to date

John K7KB

Glad I worked him then. This will be a ATNO for me if it does indeed to turn out to be legit

John K7KB

I just worked ZK3T, an easy one from the West Coast, but I'm not sure if it's a pirate or the real thing. QRZ.com lists it as a pirate and mentioned as being listed as such in OPDX 926. However, as someone on the cluster mentioned that is over 3 years ago and it is a real operation from DJ2EH. Anyone know for sure? I didn't see a thing listed up on DX World.

I just did some checking using the beam and it sure seems to be coming from the right direction for ZK3. As they say, WFWL.

John K7KB

Maybe you haven't seen his latest posting on the QRZ.com page:

http://www.qrz.com/db/UA4WHX

I'm sure it's no fun for Vlad to handle all those QSL duties but he doesn't have to take on the burden himself. If he so disdains sending out QSL cards then he can use LOTW and/or acquire a QSL manager. There are alternatives.

John K7KB

I guess I'm having a hard time understanding why he won't use LOTW for all his QSO's? He bases his argument of not uploading because he has no control of the uploaded data and cannot edit it directly. My question would be, "Why do you need to?". If you make a mistake in your uploaded log, say you accidentally uploaded a QSO with the wrong mode, couldn't you just make the correction and then upload it again? From what I think I've seen in the past, LOTW will then make the match and give you credit.

John K7KB

Considering this would be a ATNO, I don't care if he's using EME, I'll figure out a way to work him

John K7KB

Eleven thousand bucks is just the tip of the iceberg. I'm sure the costs would go up considerably from the impending divorce that would occur after I purchased such a beast  

John K7KB

Well it looks like some organizations are changing the rules a bit before they send money to sponsor DX'peditions. I just received this from INDEXA:

Dear INDEXA Member,

For 30 years, the Officers and Board of INDEXA have taken their responsibility to use your dues properly and with good business practices when helping to fund only the rarest and worthiest DXpeditions. It has always been our goal to use your contributions to the greatest advantage to the worldwide DX community.

Because we are diligent about our screening process in analyzing requests for funding, we are adding another condition that must be met by DXpeditions requesting our financial help. This additional condition is a part of the INDEXA DXpedition Support section on the INDEXA web site www.indexa.org.

The DXpedition must respond affirmatively to the following statement. Otherwise, their request will be denied. Your dues will be used only to support those DXpeditions that share our views about the correct uses of contributed funds.

Here is the statement:

"INDEXA believes that funds contributed to a DXpedition should be used only for that purpose. If there is a surplus of funds after a DXpedition is completed, a refund should be made, using some logical approach, to help offset the personal expenses incurred by individual team members and/or returned to the major sponsors. INDEXA is not concerned how the refunds are made, but does believe that any excess funds should not be held by the organizers for other purposes or projects. Do you agree? Yes or No"

As always, you can be confident that your membership dues will be allocated only to those DXpeditions that are well managed and share our long held views about correct DXpedition practices.

Happy New Year to you all,

Gary Dixon, K4MQG

President

Bob Allphin, K4UEE

Chairman"

Yes, congrats to the HK0NA team for a great DX'pedition and I was happy to get them in the log for a ATNO. It would have been interesting if DX World would have broken down the results by geographical area. Perhaps 7O6T would have been #1 by DX'ers here in NA/SA, while EU, Asia, and the Pacific favored the Malpelo effort.

John K7KB

Even for a left coaster like me, I still need a few out in the Pacific like Tokelau for a ATNO. Now if I can just get someone to activate my few pacific holdouts like Kingman, Ducie, Scaffold Reef, and Banaba, then I would be happy

John K7KB

The big problem I had was not so much as finding a hotel but finding a airline that serves that area. The closest location with decent airline service is Fresno. They do have one commuter airline going to Visalia, and that's Great Lakes Airlines but only a couple of flights out of LA or Las Vegas. This is my first time attending this convention, and I'm sure Visalia is nice, but you would think they would pick a location that at least had a few airline choices. San Jose would have been just fine with me

John K7KB

I plan on being there also, but unfortunately I wasn't able to get reservations at the Marriott so had to settle for the Hampton Inn. And I called on the day they were accepting reservations, but just later in the day. Oh well, I'll just get a rental car

Anyway, I'm looking forward to meeting you at the convention!

John K7KB

But where is SV2ASP/A when you need him? Solar Flux is at 156 with low A/K indices. I have today off. Monk Apollo where art thou!!

John K7KB