[Dxpeditions] VI5BR Baudin Rocks OC-228; Europa Island AF-009; and TM9AF

[Dave Raycroft, VA3RJ]

I.C.P.O. (Islands, Castles & Portable Operations)
UPDATE -
=====================================================
25/09/2003:  VI5BR, BAUDIN ROCKS OC-228: Peter, VK3QI, reports that they
have postponed the OC-228 operation for the time being. Two of the
operators could not go and also the weather has been very bad for the
last week with continuous 35-45 knot winds making landing and exiting
the rocks difficult in the time slot we had available for the remaining
operators. Not worth taking the risk at the moment. We hope to put the
operation on later in the next 6 months when the weather is much better
and operators are better placed to be available. [Tnx VK3QI]

22/11/2003:  A team of eight French military operators will be active
from Europa Island (AF-009) from November 22nd until December 5th or
6th. Europa is a small island that is part of the DXCC Entity called -
Europa & Juan de Nova (FR/J). They hope to have three stations active on
6 through 160 meters on SSB, CW and digital modes. The team plan to
operate in the CQ World Wide CW DX Contest on last weekend of November.

Be aware of the possibility that the operation could be cancelled if the
international situation were to unfold, as these operators would have to
all go on active duty because of there military jobs. It has been a
difficult project to secure permission to go to this rare island,
however with the persistence of F5OGL, Didier and his team they did
receive the blessing from the general headquarters to go. Europa ranks #
6 (World wide) on The DX Magazine's 2002 Most Wanted Countries list. In
Europe it ranks # 10 and in the US it is # 6.

Team members for this operation include F5OGL, Didier, F5CW, Dany;
F5JKK, Eric; F5KIN, St,phane; F5IRO; F0CRS, David; TU5AX, Chris and
another one operator. The callsign for this most anticipate DXpedition
will be announced when the operation begins. QSL cards will be handled
by F5OGL and may be sent via the bureau or direct to Didier Senmartin,
P.O. Box 7, 53320 Loiron, France. [Tnx N5FG]
=====================================================
SPECIAL EVENT -
On October 18th and 19th, will be held in Auxerre, the 25th HAM-EXPO,
which is known in Europe as one of the biggest just after the Great
Friefrichshaffen, Bodensee Messe of June.

Ham Expo is now a REF-UNION, the French IARU Society, organisation with
the help of the department of Yonne REF ham members. The Salon is
located on the AUXERREXPO site. AUXERRE is located in Northern Burgundy
(not far from the vineyards of Chablis) at about 170 km SE of Paris, on
the A6 Sun motorway, exit Auxerre Sud (Auxerre south).

This yearly event was a Pierre MICHEL, F9AF and his daughter Christiane,
F5SM's creation in 1978.

Pierre MICHEL was for a long time the only one ham gear builder in
France. The Mics Radio products were very well known in Europe in the
early 50, 60 and 70's. After Pierre's passing in 1985, Christiane, F5SM
held this event until 1995. The REF-UNION organizes the event since this
date.

For the 25th anniversary, and in Pierre MICHEL, F9AF's memory, the F5KCC
ARS with about 20 operators will aired the special call sign TM9AF, from
the 12th to 26th of October. The activities are scheduled from 160 to 6
meters in CW, PSK, RTTY, SSB, SSTV and from 144 to 1.2 ghz in CW, FM,
RTTY, SSB, ATV. They will entry also the CQ WW SSB Contest.

The QSL route is via F5SM, through the REF Bureau or direct to:
Christiane MICHEL, F5SM, 1 rue de l'Ocrerie, Les Pill�s, F89240 PARLY,
France. (SAE + postage) Please no e-QSL.

More info about HAM-Expo can be found at: http://www.ref-union.org  [Tnx
F5NQL]
=====================================================
73 and Good Hunting!
Dave Raycroft - VA3RJ
=====================================================
Home of ICPO: http://www.qsl.net/va3rj/
Mirror: http://webhome.idirect.com/~va3rj/
DX Calendar: http://www.qsl.net/va3rj/dx.html
Join ICPO e-Group: http://www.qsl.net/va3rj/icpo.html
E-mail: va3rj@rac.ca
=====================================================