March 14, 2015
All direct requests received to date have been mailed.
March 9, 2015
QSL cards have arrived and will be dispatched shortly!
Cards were shipped by Air Mail service but were misplaced, leading to a considerable delay in delivery. We apologize for this unfortunate mishap.
21 Nov - QSL cards have been printed and shipped from the printing house in Sicily
24 Oct - QSL design has been finali5ed
The list of donors has been updated in the DONORS section. A series of photos have been posted in the GALLERY section.
The stations below have requested direct QSL cards but have not followed out instructions in the LOG AND QSL section. As a result, have they have included insufficient return postage, and will be mailed their cards via the bureau, in due course:
4Z4BS, BRS-8851, DF7GK, DJ1IN, DJ7ER, DK6XR, DL4FAP, DL6ZFG, DL7UCW, DL8ZE, E73XL, EA6AG, EB5JFJ, EU1FQ, F4HDR, F4WBN, F5PAL, F5XX, F8GB, G0RCI, G4IUF, I0186RE, I5YSZ, IK1AIG, IK2WAL, IK8BQE, IK0TRV, IZ3LHH, JA1FIO/1, JA2HBK, JA4WOK, JA6CBG, JA7ARM, JA8ZO, JE1UMG, JF1HQI, JH1CGI, JH1DLD, JH1QDF, JH3FVD, JH8BOE, JR7TEQ, OE8TLK, OK1AOZ, OK1FPG, PA0ZH, RZ6LY, SM0NUE, SM5ARL, SQ9DDR, SP1MGM, SP2Y, UA6EX, UA9YPS, US5CB, YO2CMI, YU3AA.
All direct requests received to date have been mailed.
March 9, 2015
QSL cards have arrived and will be dispatched shortly!
Cards were shipped by Air Mail service but were misplaced, leading to a considerable delay in delivery. We apologize for this unfortunate mishap.
21 Nov - QSL cards have been printed and shipped from the printing house in Sicily
24 Oct - QSL design has been finali5ed
The list of donors has been updated in the DONORS section. A series of photos have been posted in the GALLERY section.
The stations below have requested direct QSL cards but have not followed out instructions in the LOG AND QSL section. As a result, have they have included insufficient return postage, and will be mailed their cards via the bureau, in due course:
4Z4BS, BRS-8851, DF7GK, DJ1IN, DJ7ER, DK6XR, DL4FAP, DL6ZFG, DL7UCW, DL8ZE, E73XL, EA6AG, EB5JFJ, EU1FQ, F4HDR, F4WBN, F5PAL, F5XX, F8GB, G0RCI, G4IUF, I0186RE, I5YSZ, IK1AIG, IK2WAL, IK8BQE, IK0TRV, IZ3LHH, JA1FIO/1, JA2HBK, JA4WOK, JA6CBG, JA7ARM, JA8ZO, JE1UMG, JF1HQI, JH1CGI, JH1DLD, JH1QDF, JH3FVD, JH8BOE, JR7TEQ, OE8TLK, OK1AOZ, OK1FPG, PA0ZH, RZ6LY, SM0NUE, SM5ARL, SQ9DDR, SP1MGM, SP2Y, UA6EX, UA9YPS, US5CB, YO2CMI, YU3AA.
25 Sep 2014
OQRS is now available through Club Log (see LOG AND QSL section on this website).
OQRS is now available through Club Log (see LOG AND QSL section on this website).
21 Sep 2014 - Broome, Western Australia
The Team has returned this morning back to Broome. We are very happy to have been able to give you a new IOTA. Thank you for your appreciation of our efforts, as left on our guestbook on posted on various sites. Detailed statistics of this operation will follow in the coming days. However, out of a little over 9,300 QSOs, we were able to log more than 5,550 individual stations from 110 DXCC.
OQRS will be open (linked to ClubLog) very early next week, after our return back home. We would like to kindly remind all chasers, once again, that we are looking for their possible support in defraying some of the costs incurred. Photos of the operation will also be posted shortly.
The Team has returned this morning back to Broome. We are very happy to have been able to give you a new IOTA. Thank you for your appreciation of our efforts, as left on our guestbook on posted on various sites. Detailed statistics of this operation will follow in the coming days. However, out of a little over 9,300 QSOs, we were able to log more than 5,550 individual stations from 110 DXCC.
OQRS will be open (linked to ClubLog) very early next week, after our return back home. We would like to kindly remind all chasers, once again, that we are looking for their possible support in defraying some of the costs incurred. Photos of the operation will also be posted shortly.
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PLEASE CHECK FOR UPDATES ON THE
BOTTOM ON THIS FRONT PAGE! The Team
Johan, Craig, Bob, and Cezar in Broome, working on last preparations for the trip to Sandy Islet.
Cezar, VE3LYC
(ve3lyc@hotmail.com) Cezar is an avid DXer, with DXCC HR 338/342, 5BWAZ, IOTA 1038, and 2600 DXCC Challenge. He operated from various rare and new IOTA groups: NA-186, 194, 205, 208, 230, 231, SA-031, 095, 096, 097. Cezar prefers CW and is a member of FOC (#1994), but is also keen on SSB and DIGI modes. 
Craig, VK5CE
(vk5ce@yahoo.com.au) A passionate IOTA chaser and very experienced activator, Craig was awarded the IOTA Activators Marathon Gold Certificate. He brought on the air numerous rare IOTA groups. His list of activations includes OC-138, 171, 172, 185, 255, 261, with OC-173 to be on in late August. Whilst at home, Craig enjoys chasing DX in SSB, RTTY, and PSK. 
Johan, PA3EXX (willemsen@multiweb.nl)
Johan is a top DXer, DXCC HR 338/345, IOTA 1042. A very experienced activator, he put on the air many rare and new IOTA groups, such as EU-038, 043, 062, NA-243, OC-172, 181, 185, 187, 198, 227, 255, 265, 267, SA-031, 092, 096, 097. Johan is highly interested in both CW and SSB. 
Bob, KD1CT
(kd1ct@tds.net) Bob is an experienced DXer, with DXCC HR 339 and IOTA 980 in SSB. He is a paramedic, and enjoys working mobile from his truck, also used as an emergency vehicle for the local EMS. Bob shares his love of radio with his daughter Jess. This will be his first expedition, something he dreamed of for years. 
Pilot Station
Bob, WB2YQH (wb2yqh@verizon.net) Veteran DXer and IOTA chaser, Bob was involved in all aspects of the hobby for over 48 years. He holds #1 DXCC HR, IOTA 1000, WPX HR, and 5BDXCC. He previously published "The 59(9) DX Report". Any requests for time windows, bands and modes of operation should be emailed directly to Bob. He will summarize your suggestions and will transmit them to the Team. Posts on the DX Cluster or various Forums will not be entertained. 
Webmaster
Maury, IZ1CRR (iz1crr@tin.it) SWL since 1974 as I1-21171, former Manager SWL ARI & webmaster 425DXN, IZ1CRR since 2000, Maury operated from AS-013, OC-165, 184, and 248. He has 1094 IOTA groups confirmed. Equipment- Two Icom IC-7000 transceivers and one Icom IC-706 MKIIG
- Vertical monoband antennae for 15 and 20 m, and two multiband wire verticals (40 to 10 m) - One 400 W solid state amplifier - Avair 600 SWR meter - Two laptops for logging - Three deep cycle 100 Ah gel batteries - Honda EU-10i gas generator with battery charger - Satellite phone for emergency communication |
Scott and Seringapatam Reefs include several atolls in the Timor Sea, located more than 300 km northwest of Cape Leveque, Western Australia, and a similar distance from Timor. The group is just one of a number of reef formations off the northwest coast of West-ern Australia. Further to the northeast are Ashmore and Cartier Islands (OC-214), and to the southwest are the Rowley Shoals (OC-230).
Much of the reef formations in this group dry out at low tide, but only Sandy Islet (OC-294) of Scott Reef Central maintains a few rocks and sandbanks above the high water mark. Sandy Islet extends about 690 m north-south and 110 m east-west. Reef formations are known as the Scott South, Central, North, and Seringapatam, the latter about 23 km north of the Scott North Reef.
The depth of the water in the lagoons is about 24 m. The water between Scott Central and South reefs has a depth of 33 m, whereas between other reefs has a depth of over 350 m. Sandy Islet (OC-294) represents the last IOTA group of Australia still waiting to be brought on the air for the first time! After multiple rounds of communication during the last almost three years, we are extremely pleased to report that the Department of Parks and Wildlife of Western Australia have agreed to approve a landing and operating permit for the Team. This permit is valid until September 30, before the start of the Giant Green Turtles hatching season. Worth noting, the permit imposes strict rules for transportation, as the Team is required to use the services of a provider who possesses the Eco-Tourism certification, as well as the necessary navigation experience and skills to sail within and around the fragile Scott Reef area, which requires specific approval from the above mentioned Conservation Authority. Sandy Islet offers absolutely no shelter in case of adverse weather conditions or tsunamis. However, the landing and operating permit specifically stipulates that the boat providing the transportation must remain at all times in the proximity of the respective sandbank, in order to provide retrieve in case of emergency. Main hazard on the island is associated with continuous exposure to intense heat and humidity. The Team includes Cezar (VE3LYC), Craig (VK5CE), Johan (PA3EXX) and Bob (KD1CT). They have applied for the callsign VK6ISL, and will attempt to operate from Sandy Islet (OC-294) for 5 days between Sep 14 and 21. Operations will take place using two stations around the clock, on SSB and CW, from 40 to 10 m. For one of the two stations the Team will employ a solid state 400 W amplifier, whereas for the second station will use 100 W. They will bring vertical antennae for 15 m, 20 m, and multi-band.
In advance of the operation, the Team will check carefully the propagation paths to various regions around the world, in order to identify the best time openings on different bands in order to give everyone a chance at logging this very remote island. Given the perceived difficulty and considerable price tag if such a project, we appreciate that it be a while before another operation from this IOTA group will take place. As such, we would like to respectfully ask the island chasers to refrain from logging us on multiple bands and/or modes in order to allow us as many different stations the possible to log us. Please mark this website and return periodically to check for updates. 7 August 2014
Team "Sandy" wishes to congratulate two of our sponsors on their Anniversaries: - Russian Robinson Club (RRC) is celebrating 20 years since its foundation. Check the excellent video presentation below, prepared for the 50th Anniversary IOTA Convention in Windsor, UK (4-6, July, 2014): http://youtu.be/PXMAKLPJcio. - Icom is proudly announcing its 50th year Golden Anniversary. With technology that stays one step ahead, Icom makes the world's communication necessities a reality, and will challenge the needs of the future from its position as a true high technology company. Check the company's milestones on Icom Canada's website at http://www.icomcanada.com/50th.html. 24 August 2014 Time schedule: Sep 11: Johan (PA3EXX) leaves home and flies to Broome, Western Australia. Bob (KD1CT)and Cezar (VE3LYC) fly to Sydney and from there to Perth, where they overnight. Sep 12: Bob and Cezar arrive in Broome in the morning, where they meet with Craig (VK5CE), waiting for Johan to arrive in the afternoon. Sep 12 – 14: Final preparations for VK6ISL. Sep 14: Sailing to Sandy Islet. Sep 16: Expected arrival, landing on the sandbank, and beginning of the VK6ISL operation. We will try to have a station on the air before midnight UTC on Sep 15. The team will attempt to keep two stations on the air, and will use one amplifier. Sep 20: End of VK6ISL operation by the evening UTC of Sep 19 and depart Sandy Islet. Sep 21: Return to Broome. Bob and Cezar fly back home. Sep 22: Johan flies back home, Bob and Cezar arrive at home. Sep 23: Craig flies back and arrives at home, while Johan arrives home too. 13 September 2014 The team is scheduled to depart Broome at mid-day on Sep 14, and arrive at Sandy Islet in the mid-afternoon of Sep 15 (local time). We will do our best to land, setup camp, and start the operation before nightfall, so expect us to be on the air by sometimes around 10-11 UTC. |
We are seeking your support to offset some costs associated with this extremely expensive project! Thank you.
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