Hi guys,
Please note that myself/VE3LYC and Ken/G3OCA will activate Finger Hill Is. (NA-194) and Paul Is. (NA-205) between July 30 and August 4 . We intend to operate for three days from each island, with two stations on the air from 6 to 40 m, CW and SSB. These island groups have only been activated once, 14 and 13 years ago, respectively. Since only 6-7% of the IOTA members have them confirmed, both groups are on the most wanted list. Islands have been checked and confirmed to satisfy IOTA activation criteria by the IOTA Program Manager. Callsigns will be VE3LYC/VO2 (Cezar) and VO2/G3OCA (Ken) . QSL via VE3LYC, direct or by the bureau (G/GM/GW/GI stations can confirm via G3OCA).
GL and 73,
Cezar, VE3LYC
The following info have been sent to me by an email from Cezar and posted here with a permit :
We will activate NA-194 and 205 between July 31 and August 5 . These two IOTA's have been activated only once , 14 and 13 years ago . They are located in a rather inhospitable environment and it will likely take a very long time before another team will venture over there . Our intention is to travel to two islands : Finger Hill Is. (NA-194) and Paul Is. (NA-205) and operate from each island for 3 days . Both islands have been checked by the IOTA Program Manager and confirmed match the IOTA criteria . For both islands we chose to use the services of a professional guide with assistant . This is due to the presence of marine and land wildlife that requires a careful logistical planning and safety precautions during the operation . Polar and black bears are both common in the area . Although we expect that polar bears will be up north at the time of our trip , all measures will be taken to ensure a safe operation . We will travel to Paul Is. with guides and Inuit boatmen .
The trip to Finger Hill Is., however, is logistically much more complicated . It is too far from our base to be reached by small boats . It will take a large vessel at least 12 hours to get there . This raises several issues . First , there aren't really any commercial vessels there . Second , the area is well known for a rapid change in weather conditions , which could take a toll on the operation schedule . Third , open sea conditions in the region can create some serious landing problems . Taken into account all the aspects concerned , we decided to travel by helicopter .
There will be two rides : first, our guide and his assistant will be put on the island. They will secure the area and make camp. Once the area is secured, the helicopter will take us in, with all the radio equipment.
At this time all plane tickets have been purchased and we paid 50% of the actual expedition costs. The rest must be versed by the end of April. We will be prepared to operate around the clock or as much as the propagation conditions will permit with two stations fully equiped .
I will have an IC7000 and Ken will have a TS50 , both running 100 w with wire verticals that can operate on all bands from 6 to 40 m.
Based on the current solar cycle conditions, I expect that the bands of traffic will be 17, 20, 30 and 40 m.
QSL is available via VE3LYC either directly or through the bureau . Needless to say, overall costs are pretty high, so any donation will be graciously appreciated.
[Tnx
Gou/JA1QXY for map and Tnx Cezar for email and detailed info ] .
