[SFDXA] [UPDATE]: NH8S – Swains Island, Press Release #3

[Bill]

 From DXCoffee

  NH8S – Swains Island, Press Release #3

[UPDATE]: The team has left American Samoa, and at this moment has 
sailed about 60 miles. All is well and the crew is full of enthusiasm 
regarding this new adventure.

The following press release was sent out on August 22nd by the *NH8S* 
team. Twelve days and counting to the start of this exciting new DXpedition.

    ” Swains press release # 3 Aug. 22 2012 –
    The leaders are happy to report that the DXpedition cargo has
    arrived in American Samoa. The international team of 20 operators
    are excited about this tent and generator operation. The island
    ranks number 31 in the DX Magazine most wanted list. Swains is about
    one mile in  circumference, has only five permanent residents and no
    infrastructure.
    The team will be running seven stations from 6 to 160 including 60
    meters.
    They will be on CW, SSB and RTTY around the clock for 14 days. Great
    emphasis will be on working European stations. Plans are to update
    logs on a daily basis by satellite phone. Because there is no
    regular internet service, the team will have two pilot stations.
    Valerie, NV9L, will be the North American pilot while Col, MM0NDX,
    will do the honors for Europe.
    They and John/K6MM, the webmaster, will be the only contact to the
    team for their 14 day stay.
    Due to changes in airline flights, they are now scheduled to depart
    American Samoa on Sept. 4th, for the 23 hour boat ride to Swains.
    Everything will then be off loaded and taken ashore by a small boat.
    Along with the radio equipment, antennas, food, and tents, are 19
    drums of gasoline for the seven generators.
    The team of highly experienced DXers, contesters and Dxpeditioners
    are: *9V1FJ, AA4NN, DJ2VO, DL3DXX, K5AB, K9CS, K9CT, K9NW, N2TU,
    N4HH, N6HC, N6HD, NA6M, ND2T, SM5AQD, W6KK, W8GEX, W8HC, W8TN
    *and*WB9Z*. There have been several requests to listen into the
    general band, so please listen to the operator’s instructions.
    We are most grateful to NCDXF, INDEXA, and all clubs and individuals
    who have supported us. Like all major DXpeditions today, this is a
    very expensive trip. Total costs are estimated to be 200,000 USDs.
    Each member has paid 8000 USDs, plus his cost to get to American
    Samoa. Anyone who wants to help, can go to our website, www.nh8s.org
    <http://www.nh8s.org> and click on the donations link. We are most
    appreciative to any and all DXers that contribute to help defray the
    cost of the trip.
    OQSL is available on the website for your convenience. QSL manager
    for cards is Joe Blackwell, AA4NN, and requests should be sent to
    him at:
    Swains Island DXpedition
    P.O. Box 5005
    Lake Wylie, SC 29710
    USA

LoTW will be posted six months following the DXpedition.

We would like to give special thanks to our support crew who has worked 
very hard for us. They include DL9RCF, I8NHJ, K6MM, MM0NDX, N1DG, N4XP, 
N7CQQ, NV9L, W6XA, W8AEF, W8CAA and Margarett Blackwell XYL of AA4NN.

The website www.nh8s.org <http://www.nh8s.org> provides more details.

Craig, K9CT
Joe, W8GEX
Co-Leaders”