[OKDXA] Fwd: Bouvet 2016: final update

[W5LE]

-------- Forwarded Message --------
Subject: 	Bouvet 2016: final update
Date: 	Sat, 9 May 2015 10:49:13 +0200
From: 	Mark ON4WW <bouvet2016 at telenet.be>
To: 	Mark ON4WW <bouvet2016 at telenet.be>



Dear DXer

Before sending out a press release, I wanted to share the following with 
those fellow hams who generously pledged to financially support the 
Bouvet Island "one-man three-month concept".

After press release #3 <http://www.on4ww.be/bouvet2016_pr3.html>, I was 
optimistic in terms of securing the required funding for my expedition. 
Thanks to so many of you, the necessary up-front expenses were getting 
close to being covered by the pledges received at that time. I was also 
hopeful that the larger DX associations and foundations would step 
forward to contribute as we were getting close to realization.

At this point in time, I have no other choice than to report that the 
funding is not sufficient to move forward. As I am sure you know, there 
are a number of large DXpeditions being arranged for late 2015 and early 
2016, and they are more or less competing for the same resources. I 
didn't manage to create sufficient interest among potential external 
(non-ham) donors, and my one-man concept is of course somewhat 
controversial by nature. Though, I am still convinced that - even if my 
particular approach is not necessarily the solution - future 
DXpeditioning has to find other forms in order to remain sustainable.

After having received permission for Bouvet from NPI (Norwegian Polar 
Institute), my wife (!), my employer (5 months leave without pay) and 
getting close to the sufficient up-front funding (you), this is a bitter 
pill to swallow. But I am extremely grateful to all of you for having 
lived this dream with me. And not the least to my angel sponsor who kept 
things going.

As I stated from the beginning, don't be sad, someone else will activate 
Bouvet!

Thank you again for your enthusiasm and devotion to our wonderful hobby.

73 - Mark - ON4WW