[SFDXA] Press Release of FT5Z Amsterdam Island - From DXCoffee

[Bill]

 From DXCoffee

The Press Release of FT5Z Amsterdam Island
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The Press Release of Ralph Fedor K0IR - April 3, 2013 untitled_5713

“I am pleased to announce a major DXpedition scheduled to occur during 
January and February of 2014.

An international team of 14 experienced DXpedition operators, led by 
K0IR, will depart from Fremantle, Australia in early January of 2014. 
Their destination will be Amsterdam Island (FT5Z).

Amsterdam Island is under the administration of Terres Australes et 
Antarctiques Francaises (TAAF). There are strict rules and environmental 
regulations in place on Amsterdam Island and access is limited. 
Representatives of this DXpedition team met with TAAF officials on 
Reunion Island in November and in Paris in early March. The team’s plan 
and credentials were reviewed at those meetings, and resulted in TAAF’s 
final, written authorization to land on Amsterdam Island and conduct 
this DXpedition. The team has been granted an 18 day access to the 
island to occur between the dates of January 15 and February 20 of 2014.

The team will sail from Fremantle, Australia aboard the MV Braveheart. 
The voyage to Amsterdam Island will take them through the “roaring 40s” 
of the Indian Ocean and last about 8 days, depending on the wind and 
weather. TAAF has reviewed the Braveheart’s specifications, 
environmental precautions, and emergency response plan and has 
designated anchorage conditions for the vessel. Landing at Amsterdam 
must be timed according to sea conditions as there is no natural harbor 
to shield the landing area from the open sea. This may necessitate 
waiting off shore until the sea conditions are suitable. But, our 18 day 
window does not start until we step onto the island.

Once ashore, the team will move to two station positions assigned by 
TAAF. The two locations are about 2 kilometers apart. Each location will 
allow a full complement of antennas. The separation will allow 
simultaneous CW/RTTY and SSB transmission on the open bands. The group 
plans on eight stations; four at each location. Elecraft K3’s, a full 
complement of antennas, and 500 watt and 1.5 KW amplifiers will be the 
backbone of the station configurations.

The operators are well known in the DXing and contesting world and 
include: 9V1YC, EY8MM, FM5CD, HK1R, K4UEE, K9CT, LA6VM, N4GRN, N6HC, 
VE3EJ, VE7CT, W6IZT, WB9Z, and yours truly K0IR.

Our website is in the final stages of preparation. When it is complete, 
you may access it at: www.amsterdamdx.org/ The website will be password 
protected until it is ready.

As with past DXpeditions to “Top Ten” countries, this is a costly 
venture. The expenses total just over $400,000 (U.S.). Each operator 
must contribute a minimum of $10,000 of his own money, pay his own way 
to Fremantle, Australia, be away from home and family for six weeks, 
spend 16 to 18 days at sea, and be prepared for the financial and 
physical risks inherent in a major DXpedition of this magnitude.

The group needs your financial support to successfully complete this 
major project and is asking all DX’ers to contribute what they can to 
make this happen. We know that clubs and major sponsors will help us; 
INDEXA has already made an extremely generous contribution to the 
project and the NCDXF has honored with a very large grant. But we also 
need the help of individual DX’ers, not only from North America, but 
also from Europe, Asia, Africa, South America, and Oceania. Let’s make 
this happen! Then, let’s enjoy the chase of a new country, a new band 
country, or working a rare one! ”

73, Ralph Fedor – K0IR

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