[EIDXA] Fw: Bouvet 2016 - request for funding intentions (de ON4WW)

Mon Dec 8 08:44:22 EST 2014

Rich,

Based on our criteria, this will score low because of the single operator
structure.  That said, I would propose that we donate $300 to Mark.  ($200
from Club resources and $100 from the Tom Hise fund - so not a
dollar-for-dollar match.)

Thoughts?  This may be a good guarantee of at least some level of
participation from a most wanted entity.  We always have the option to
provide funding to the other expeditions.

Rick N0YY

On Sun, Dec 7, 2014 at 3:12 PM, Rich Haendel <rhaendel at q.com> wrote:

> Hello all,
> This is what I received from ON4WW today.
>
> Personally, I think a solo expedition to Bouvet for 3 months is high risk
> for the individual.
> I am forwarding this e-mail to keep you aware of Mark's intentions, no
> more than that.
>
> 73 Rich W3ACO
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Mark ON4WW
> To: Mark ON4WW
> Sent: Sunday, December 07, 2014 12:17 PM
> Subject: Bouvet 2016 - request for funding intentions (de ON4WW)
>
>
> Dear DXer,
>
>
>
> On 26 October 2014 an announcement was made through various channels that
> I had obtained permission to land and reside on Bouvet Island (3Y/B) for
> the mid-January 2016 until mid-April 2016 time frame.
>
>
>
> On the webpage http://www.on4ww.be/bouvet2016.html an extensive
> description of the project as well as a request for (exclusive) funding was
> put forward.
>
>
>
> On 19 November 2014 I sent a request for funding intentions to the various
> DX Foundations, DX Clubs, Radio Amateur Organizations and some of the
> corporate material providers.
>
>
>
> Today I am addressing you as an individual DXer who has actively
> contributed towards the success of one or more of the fairly recent major
> DXpeditions.
>
>
>
> On 11 November 2014 Alex/UN7PCZ announced a two week DXpedition to Bouvet
> Island during the December 2015 - January 2016 time frame. I do not at all
> see this as a competing project, and welcome this great news.
>
>
>
> The fact of a large group going to Bouvet has convinced me even more that
> I should try to obtain funding through a single/exclusive sponsor, as
> extensively outlined at http://www.on4ww.be/bouvet2016.html#funding .
>
>
>
> Two main reasons for this would be to
>
> 1) off-load the financial burden from the ham community (in case the
> sponsor doesn't want a financial return but has other plans with the
> project), and
>
> 2) for me to be able to focus on the DXpedition logistics, rather than
> having to search for finances.
>
>
>
> In case I manage to secure an exclusive sponsor for this project, it would
> obviously be favorable if this sponsor does not specifically seek a
> financial return. In the opposite scenario I will have to turn to the ham
> community, investigating what is feasible in terms of financial support.
>
>
>
> The subsequent question: what financial support would you be able to
> pledge for this project? This is no formal request for funding, I am only
> asking for your intentions in order to assess the financial feasibility of
> the project - with the scenario outlined above.
>
>
>
> The forecasted budget is put at 250,000 euro (± 310,000 USD), which is far
> less than a larger group operating for a shorter period of time would
> require. Furthermore, this is a generous forecast, I expect the final
> budget to ultimately be less.
>
>
>
> In the last month I received donation pledges from individual DXers
> ranging from 15 to 3,400 euro. To give you an idea what would be needed to
> reach 250,000 euro: if each of the addressees on this list would pledge 55
> euro (70 USD), Bouvet 2016 would be a fact.
>
>
>
> This of course I can neither ask nor expect, it is just a mathematical
> example of what is required financially.
>
>
>
> Another important aspect to me is the transparency and control of funding.
> Every cent raised for this project will be registered through the
> non-profit organization 'Peter I - Antarctica Expedition 1994' (renamed
> 'Antennes zonder Grenzen - Antennes sans Frontières' in 1995). This
> organization was formed in 1993 by Peter ON6TT, with the goal of
> transparent accountability for every cent spent on the 3Y0PI DXpedition -
> visible to the entire expedition team. Good accounts make good friends!
>
>
>
> You will notice further below what my intentions are in regard to QSLing:
> I want people to be able to receive bureau cards, get instant LoTW, e-QSL
> and Club Log confirmation. This is important to me: I don't want youngsters
> and less fortunate radio hams having to pay for a QSO with Bouvet. Call me
> idealistic/philanthropic/ideological, but it does indeed matter to me.
>
>
>
> With the upcoming of the 3Y0F-group, many of you may decide to put your
> bets on that project. However, in the event that the UN7PCZ-group withdraws
> its plans (it wouldn't be the first time a major DXpedition is cancelled),
> my Bouvet project will probably be the only one in many years to come.
>
>
>
> Here is an excerpt of the operational plan:
>
>
>
> - projected number of QSOs: 100,000
>
> - QSL: bureau, direct, OQRS, in the way people want it
>
> - log: daily uploads to LoTW, Club Log, e-QSL through proper satellite link
>
> - all HF bands CW/SSB + RTTY on 2 or 3 bands
>
> - antennas: verticals/inv-V's in various constellations and inv-L's will
> be the only manageable type of antennas that won't break down on Bouvet -
> with sufficient spares brought along
>
> - radios and amps: I will take what I am comfortable with, well proven and
> sturdy radios and amps, three of each device
>
> - 24/7 operation during 3 months (with adequate rest periods), mitigating
> the impact of the Antarctic black-outs known from past expeditions of
> shorter duration
>
> - operator: one
>
> - I already have several offers from QSL-managers for (free) QSLing (a
> decision on what to ask for OQRS has not been made; it should be as low
> cost as possible so everybody can enjoy this service)
>
>
>
> I would highly appreciate your response within the next few weeks. By the
> end of this year I will make a decision whether or not to proceed with the
> project. In the event that I am not able to secure an exclusive sponsor and
> at the same time the projected sponsoring from within the ham community
> would be sufficient, it will be a challenging decision.
>
>
>
> Regardless if you are able to foresee financial support to this project or
> not, I would appreciate if a lead or an introduction to a potential
> exclusive sponsor would be considered. It is still my favorable prospect
> for funding, and I thank you in advance for any assistance on that front.
>
>
>
> For those of you who want to know more about me and my past endeavors:
> http://www.on4ww.be/ON4WW.html
>
>
>
> I hope this mail answers most of your questions upfront. Please have a
> thorough look at http://www.on4ww.be/bouvet2016.html , I believe you will
> notice that the project is well thought through.
>
>
>
> Should you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to ask.
>
>
>
> Thank you for your time and kind consideration.
>
>
>
> 73 de Mark / ON4WW
>
>
>
> Please only use the bouvet2016 at telenet.be e-mail address in regard to the
> Bouvet Island project. Thank you in advance.
> ______________________________________________________________
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