[ADXA] [DX-NEWS] More about VU4 DXpedition

[LennyK5OVC at wmconnect.com]

Subj:   [DX-NEWS] More about VU4 DXpedition 
Date:   11/13/2004 5:20:02 AM Central Standard Time 
From:    k4vud at hotmail.com (Charles Harpole)
Sender:    DX-News-owner at njdxa.org
To:    k4vud at hotmail.com, dx-news at njdxa.org
    
    


QST:

VU2RBI, Bharathi Prasad, has appealed to VU2SON for help in getting 
permission to do a legal operation on VU4.  She has asked for a month-long 
operating permission this December.  Only native citizens of India are 
allowed to operate.  Bharathi and her family are of modest means.  She does 
not have any money of her own to invest in this DXpedition.  India culture 
indicates a proper married woman only travel with her husband, VU2DBP.  She 
led the 1978 DXpedition to VU4.

Please do not complicate matters by now making your own request to op. on 
VU4.  Please allow Bharathi to work her magic for now.  In a year, if we all 
behave and have patience, Andaman could be much more open to ham radio 
visits or an on-going presence.

The DX community needs to understand that this VU4 DXpedition is likely to 
start as a "mighty lite" for the reasons cited above.  This is a PILOT 
project to prove ham radio is harmless on VU4.  That is the immediate goal.  
Later, we hope to establish a long-term ham radio presence at a school in 
Port Blair.  This effort will NOT be a mass arrival of crack operators with 
tons of gear.  We appeal to the generousity, understanding, and patience of 
the world wide DX community.  Please remember this is AMATEUR radio in a 
Developing Nation, and please give Bharathi's effort your patient support 
for this evolving project.

Personally, I know how important a contact with VU4 is.  The pent-up demand 
is huge.  However, I appeal to all DXers to realize the delicate nature of 
getting permission, of quickly mounting this pilot effort, and of finding 
funds now.  In American slang, "please cut some slack" to this project and 
know that Bharathi and I are in this for the long haul so that ham radio can 
later establish a continuing presence there to answer the needs for all 
bands and all modes.

ALL donations will be promptly refunded should this effort not go as 
announced.  QSL card requests will go to a USA address for mail security.

Please consider a donation via USA check or international money order or 
equivalent to:

Charles Harpole
3100 N. Hwy. 426
Geneva, FL  32732-9761 USA

An excited 73 to all,

Charles Harpole, K4VUD and VU3CHE (also 9N7UD and HS0ZCW)
k4vud at hotmail.com