Update on amateur radio DXpeditions

3B7, ST. BRANDON ISLAND (Update). Ron, K5XK, updates OPDX that Rachid, 3B8FQ, has license in-hand, and expects to activate St. Brandon Island (AF-015) for almost two weeks between Friday, January 30th and Thursday, February 12th. The callsign will be 3B7FQ. This will primarily be a working trip for maintenance on the meteorological station on St. Brandon, with on-air operations as time allows. Rachid expects that the 30/20/17 meter bands to be the most productive but will try all bands, 80-10 meters. Rachid will use CW and SSB. On CW, look for Rachid near the bottom of the band, "on the 8's" such as 10108, 14008, and 18078 kHz. He will be using only 100 watts and a G5RV antenna. He also plans to be active later in the year as 3B9FQ (from Rodriguez Island) while on holiday in July. QSL 3B7FQ, 3B8FQ, 3B6FQ and 3B9FQ via K5XK per instructions on http://www.qrz.com/.

5H, TANZANIA (IOTA Op). Just a reminder that Sigi/DL7DF and his XYL Sabine will be on holiday in Zanzibar (AF-032), February 3-13th. Look for Sigi to sign 5H1DF and be active on 160-10 meters using CW, SSB, RTTY and SSTV as often as possible. His equipment consists of a transceiver, a linear TY900, a 18m Lowband Vertical, a Vertical R7, as well as a laptop computer. QSL via DL7DF, by the German QSL Bureau (DARC) or direct to: Sigi Presch, Wilhelmsmuehlenweg 123, D-12621 Berlin, Germany. For updates and more details, visit:
http://www.dl7df.com/5h/index.html

C2, NAURU. Dani, EA4ATI, who is now active as 9M2TI from Malaysia, informs OPDX that he is preparing for a DXpedition (with a team of operators) to activate Nauru in the Pacific sometime in May. The callsign will be C21TI. Travelling through Australia to get to Nauru,
tentative dates will be either from May 3-17th (after the cyclone season) or May 16-30th. Dani states, "I am preparing the logistics with a friend from Nauru that I met in Malaysia during a ITU workshop last November, but we will probably stay in the Od'N Aiwo Hotel." This is the
same location that previous DXpeditions to Nauru have used (such as C21BH, C21SX, C21XF, etc). The composition of the team is not finished yet, but Dani is looking for CW, SSB and RTTY operators. Ruben, C21RK, was mentioned as part of the team. Activity will be on all HF bands
including 60m and 6m. The suggested frequencies mentioned (as of now) are:
CW - 1825.5, 3505, 7005, 10110, 14025, 18075, 21025, 24895 and 28025
SSB - 1825.5, 3799, 5371.5, 7065, 14195, 18145, 21295, 24945 and 28495 kHz
6m - 50.115 MHz (CW/SSB)

They currently have two transceivers with HF amplifiers and will use a yagi beam antenna for 20/15/10 meters and several dipole antennas (ed. they are looking for additional antennas). Dani mentions that they will have a satphone for data connection. QSL will be via EA4ATI. A Web page has been created for the DXpedition (still not finished) at:
http://c21ti.madrono.net/index.php?newlang=3Denglish

A study of propagation with a proposed band plan for the DXpedition will be posted on their Web page. This study will be done by the Technical University of Malaysia. They have not yet estimated a QSO target, but it will not be less than 20,000. The estimated budget for their DXpedition is 14,500 USDs and the team is looking for funding as well as more operators. If interested in helping, see details on the Web page. ADDED NOTE: You may know Dani, EA4ATI/9M2TI, from the following operations: XT2ATI, XT2TI, HP2PL, Z39A, 6W1EA, 6W1/EA4ATI, HP1/EA4ATI, HI5/EA4ATI, HI3CCP, HI3C, 3XY9B, etc.....

FT5W & FT5X, CROZET AND KERGUELEN ISLANDS. Gildas, TU5KG, is once again
sailing in the Southern Indian Ocean on a fishing boat. As he sails around the Crozet region between now and March 7th, there is a possibility that he may land on Crozet and operate as FT5WP. Also, beware that Gildas is expected to sail around the Kerguelen region
between March 10th and April 15th. Again, he may be active from Port aux Francais possibly on March 7th. A stop on Kerguelen at the beginning of March is necessary before the return trip. PLEASE pay attention to his callsign. He may be signing as maritime mobile "/mm". QSL via F4EFI, by the REF Bureau 29 or direct.

FW, WALLIS & FUTUNA ISLANDS (Update). Eli, HA9RE, and a team of operators are now active from Wallis Island as FW5RE until about the end of February. Activity will be on 160-10 meters, including 30/17/12 meters, using CW, SSB and RTTY. Two stations will be on the air. The group has been very active on the lower bands. QSL Manager is HA8IB. A Web page is up and running now with updates, pictures and a log search at: http://www.ha0du.com/index.php

H81, PANAMA (Lighthouse Activity). Members of the Radio Club of Panama (HP1RCP) and Panama Canal Amateur Radio Association (PCARA) will be activating Miraflores Lock's Lighthouse (PAN-030) in the Panama Canal using the special callsign H81L between February 14-15th. Activity will be on all bands and modes. QSL via HP1RCP. Visit the following Web page
to see a picture of the lighthouse at: www.geocities.com/canallights2000/miraflorespics.html
(Ohio/Penn DX # 894)