[OKDXA] DUCIE

[K8fu at aol.com]

The team is still very busy preparing the equipment for a shipment  in
November. This is what changed or happened during the last weeks:
 
The Team:
Unfortunately Jan, DJ8NK, and Martti, OH2BH, had to withdraw  but we
were fortune to complete the team with some very skilled  operators.
These are Ben, DL6FBL; Tonno, ES5TV; Harry, RA3AUU; and Cliff,  SV1JG.
 
So here is the list of people who will head out to Ducie in  February
2008 and give you this rare one:
 
DL3DXX, DL6FBL, DL6LAU, DL8LAS, ES5TV, K3NA, N5IA, RA3AUU,  SP3DOI,
SP5XVY, SV1JG, UA3AB and WA6CDR.
 
Equipment:
We are eagerly waiting to give the Elecraft K3s the real test  on
Ducie.  ACOM amps are already packed, microHAM micro Keyer II for  all
stations should arrive soon and will be used between the radios  and
the PCs.  The new YT6A high-power band pass filters after  each
amplifier should help to reduce interference between stations  even
more.
 
Donations:
Donations prior to our departure are very important for us  because
basically all of the expenses (Braveheart charter and  container
shipment) have to be paid way before we actually depart and the  team
members already paid what I would call a more than adequate  share.
Each of them put in US$ 6,200 and will pay their own transportation  by
air to Mangareva (FO).
 
We are deeply grateful to the NCDXF, who contributed US$ 20,000
towards  the costs. Without NCDXF it would be hardly possible to run an
expedition  like VP6DX.  Please consider joining NCDXF and become a
contributor to  NCDXF in its 35th year as a premier sponsor of
expeditions and the Beacon  system.
 
A big thank you also goes to the individuals who already sent in  a
donation.
 
Even with the generous donations received so far and the contribution
of  the team members we are still lacking about US$ 50,000 as of
September  21st.  We again would kindly ask you to check, if you could
help  too.  Details on how you can help can be found in the `How To
Help'  section.


SHOULD WE CONSIDER A DONATION TO THIS EFFORT  ???
 
RIBBIT...................................RIBBIT...............................
...   BOHICA



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