[SFDXA] Press Release #7 Nov. 5, 2023 TX5S Clipperton Island DXpedition

[JACK]

73 & GUD DX 
K4WSB /C6A VP2MSB 

DXCC 340/357



For Immediate Release
Press Release #7
Nov. 5, 2023
TX5S Clipperton Island DXpedition
(NA-011)
January 18 – February 1, 2024
Clipperton Island:
Clipperton is now #26 most wanted in Europe and remains #37 most wanted globally. FT-8 and 60m have never been activated from Clipperton, the pileups will be deep and energetic. Our team is well balanced with experienced CW, SSB and digital DXpedition and contest operators, with an operating schedule that will keep
them busy.
Joining the Team: We’re happy announce that Francesco IK0FVC has joined the TS5S team. Francesco has been licensed since 1985, he holds #1 Honor Roll, 10 Band DXCC, and 5 Band WAZ. Over the years he has handed out over 300,000 QSOs
from two historical DXCC entities: The Vatican HV0A and The Sovereign Military Order of Malta 1A0KM. He is an attorney, and lives in Rome, Italy. Francesco is an amateur astronomer and he enjoys sports cars.
It’s Official: Phillipe FO4BM was our primary interface to the High Commissioner of French Polynesia for securing the landing permit and with ANFR for the call sign. The landing permit was issued in March, 2023 and TX5S was reserved but
not issued. It’s now official, we have the TX5S license in-hand and ARRL has issued the LoTW Certificate. Our QSL Manager, Tim M0URX, loaded the certificate into his Bespoke OQRS system.
Groups.io Forum
During our VP8PJ South Orkney Islands DXpedition in 2020 we created a Groups.io account for interested people to post comments about the operation and to communicate with the Pilots. The Pilots consolidated submissions
from their region and that information was sent to the Chief Pilot who communicated with the island team. The process worked so well we will again use Groups.io. A Groups.io account is required to post to the group. You may subscribe to the forum by sending an e-mail to: Clipperton-2024+subscribe at groups.io
The island team will not be monitoring Groups.io, nor will the Pilots have access to the log. Please do not send emails to the Pilots or the team asking for log checks, busted calls, or making schedules.
Satellite / 6m EME
Our satellite / 6m EME station captain, Andreas N6NU, was recently in Middlegate, Nevada participating in the ARRL 6m EME contest, using the same equipment he’ll bring to Clipperton. From the reports and emails we’ve received the station performed very well.
When the station is not actively pointed at the moon we expect it will be running 6m FT8 (tropo). We appreciate the interest and help we’ve been getting from the 6m / EME community. There certainly seems to be a pent up demand for Clipperton via EME.
We will also be active on the GreenCube IO-117 satellite. Several of our 16 team members have indicated interest in operating the satellite position.
Fundraising:
The long standing DX-pedition funding model is to split the DX-pedition cost equally between the expedition team and the DX community, i.e. organizations and individuals. TX5S donations are only at ~44% of the goal. The cash flow challenge is real, we must pay the bills before we sail, we need your help. 
Since the last press release the following organizations have joined the project as sponsors:
- Southeast Michigan DX Association
- Arkansas DX Association
- International DX Association (INDEXA) made a significant grant
Sponsor logos appear on our website and will appear on the TX5S QSL card.
We wish to thank the organizations and individuals who have already pledged their support to TX5S and ask those of you who have not yet processed a donation to consider supporting the project before we sail on January 11, 2024. After the books close, all sponsoring clubs / foundations will receive a TX5S financial summary.
Social Media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tx5s2024
Website: TX5S.net
Groups.IO: Clipperton-2024
Questions to: info at pdxg.net
73,
Clipperton 2024 Team
  
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