[SMCARA] KK6EK regarding the VKØEK DXpedition

Sun Aug 30 19:06:33 EDT 2015

My first question was: Where is Heard Island.
With a little research I found out it was south of the French Southern
Arctic islands.  I remember reading about those islands in some submarine
fiction novel.  Woof!  
I am all for adventures.  Traveling to Heard Island is not on my bucket
list.

Have fun!
N4PGG 

-----Original Message-----
From: SMCARA [mailto:smcara-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Tom
Sent: Friday, August 28, 2015 9:51 PM
To: SMCARA
Subject: [SMCARA] Fwd: KK6EK regarding the VKØEK DXpedition

Here's your chance to go on a rare DXpedition!
Contact KK6EK if you're interested.

Tom

-------- Forwarded Message --------
Subject: 	KK6EK regarding the VKØEK DXpedition
Date: 	Thu, 20 Aug 2015 11:34:25 -0700
From: 	Robert Schmieder <robert at schmieder.com>
Reply-To: 	robert at schmieder.com
To: 	w4okw at md.metrocast.net

Dear W4OKW:

I see on NG3K.com (“Announced Operations”) that you were a member of a
previous DXpedition, which is why I am motivated to contact you. Please let
me tell you what it’s about...

You probably know about the upcoming (March/April 2016) DXpedition to Heard
Island, VKØEK. I am the organizer/Expedition Leader for the project. You can
see a lot of information on the main website www.heardisland.org
<http://www.heardisland.org>, the blog www.vk0ek.org <http://www.vk0ek.org>,
and various news outlets. We distribute a Newsletter that you can subscribe
<http://www.heardisland.org/HD_pages/HD_newsletter.php> to, and you can get
back issues
<http://www.heardisland.org/HD_pages/HD_newsletter_back_issues.html>. 
Co-organizer of the project is Rich KY6R
<https://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=13865634&trk=nav_responsive_tab_pr
ofile>
and here <http://www.heardisland.org/HD_team/HD_KY6R.html>. and the link. My
personal CV is here <http://www.heardisland.org/HD_team/HD_Schmieder.html>;
I have been organizing and leading expeditions for 35 years, under the
auspices of my nonprofit organization Cordell Expeditions
<http://www.cordell.org/>.

Heard Island was last activated as VKØIR in 1997. At that time it was the #1
Most Wanted entity in the world. I was the organizer/expedition leader of
that operation, which in spite of being exactly at the bottom of the sunspot
cycle, logged a world record number of QSOs. You can read all about that
project in my book _VKØIR Heard Island,_ which you can download
<http://www.heardisland.org/HD_pages/HD_book_VK%C3%98IR.html>
(free). There is a very good reason why Heard Island has not been activated
for almost 20 years: The combination of cost, time for the voyage, permit
requirements, and complexities of a full life-support DXpedition to a
subantarctic island have thus far proven too great–no one has been willing
to tackle this enormous challenge. Not surprisingly, Heard Island has again
climbed nearly to the top of the Most Wanted list.

About 3 years ago, I decided to undertake this expedition. Since then, after
considerable evolution of the plans, we have reached the stage of secure
arrangements and stable plans, and we are in the process of acquiring the
equipment and other resources for the trip. Here is a basic summary of how
this will be carried out:

The team of 14 will sail on the Braveheart from Cape Town, South Africa, on
March 10, 2016, arriving at Heard Island somewhat over a week later. 
With the help of the vessel crew, they will erect a major campsite at Atlas
Cove, the historical site of various expeditions since 1947, and the
location of our 1997 campsite. Radio operations will commence on the first
day, and continue for most of the next three weeks. During this time, some
members of the expedition will be carrying out scientific investigations,
principally aimed at searching for unknown species in support of
climate-change studies. During one week part of the team will move to the
opposite end of the island to establish radio contacts with Central and West
Coast North American stations, and to carry out scientific explorations in
that very interesting location. After the 3-week stay, the facilities will
be packed and the vessel will sail for Fremantle, Australia, arriving on or
about April 22.

But the DXpedition is more than just operating radios and logging contacts.
A key element in the plans and preparations is technology innovation,
motivated by the desire to advance the art of amateur radio communications.
One element is DXA <http://www.heardisland.org/HD_pages/HD_DXA.html>, the
real-time online radio log server. This system, used previous on K7C and
TX5K, allows DXers to get online confirmation of their QSOs within 1 minute
after making them, enabling correction of errors, elimination of pirates,
and immediate ordering of QSL confirmation. Another innovation that we are
working on is enabled by the anticipated use of satellites for high-speed
data transmission, using the new Ka-mode, capable of handling real-time
video. We are developing a multi-purpose instrumentation platform to be
installed permanently on Heard Island, accessed via Inmarsat. In addition to
weather instruments, video cameras, and other environmental sensors, we are
considering a HF radio that can be controlled remotely through the satellite
link. Yet another innovation we are working on is an automated capability
for electronic fulfillment of QSL requests, enabling very rapid generator
and mailing of QSL cards.

So (finally), let me tell you what motivates me to write to you. A few
months ago, we were forced to change the vessel, and the schedule/itinerary.
Unfortunately, two of the team members could not accommodate to the change,
and had to withdraw. I have filled one of those spaces, but as of this
moment, I have one space left. We are looking for an appropriate person to
take this space and join us for this adventure. I am hoping that either you
might be interested, or if that is not appropriate, helping us find the last
team member.

Here are the essentials of the DXpedition:

ØTime: March 10 (Cape Town) to April 22 (Fremantle, Australia)

ØCost: Negotiable (see below)

ØSkills: Some experience with radio operations on DXpeditions

ØPrep: Personal clothing, travel, job and family arrangements

ØHealth: No disabling medical issues

ØTeam: Planning, helping with preps, teamwork on the expedition

ØLegal: Radio license, VISA for travel to S. Africa, Australia

ØInsure: Personal travel/evacuation insurance.

Regarding the cost: The actual cost of putting the team on Heard Island is
US$35k/person. In fact, we have been very effective in fundraising, so the
fair-share team contribution is US$18k. However, a significant reduction in
this fee to the 14^th team member might be possible, and I am open to this.

An editorial comment: I hope you see that this is probably a
once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Heard Island is such a difficult a
DXpedition target (partially due to its environmental sensitivity) that it
is likely that it will not be activated for another 20 years, and possibly
never. At this point we have made the essential arrangements, including the
permit from the Australian government), and therefore the hard work already
has been done to make this possible.

So let me summarize: If you are in a position to contemplate taking the last
seat on the expedition, I would very much like to talk with you (no
obligation). You could call me at *925 934 3735*, or we could do it all by
email. If however, this is not a possibility for you, but you might be able
to help us find that last team member, we will be very grateful. 
You are welcome to talk with any of the team members, advisors,
collaborators, etc., in order to get a better sense of the project.

I do appreciate the chance to connect with you, and of course I wish you
Good DXing and/or Great DXpeditioning!

73,

/Bob KK6EK/

Dr. Robert Schmieder

Cordell Expeditions

4295 Walnut Blvd.

Walnut Creek, CA 94596

(925) 934 3735

KK6EK at cordell.org <mailto:KK6EK at cordell.org>

http://www.heardisland.org

info at heardisland.org <mailto:info at heardisland.org>

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