[W8MWA] South Orkney Island DXpedition VP8PJ

[Spence Graham]

https://sorkney.com/    Main website

https://sorkney.com/radio-team/   Team members and their background

The *Perseverance DX Group* is organizing a team of experienced DXpedition
operators to activate the *South Orkney Islands* (IOTA AN-008) from
approximately Feb. 21, 2020 through March 5, 2020.  South Orkney Island is
currently *#16* <https://secure.clublog.org/mostwanted.php> most wanted on
Clublog <http://clublog.org/>.

The team will be QRV from *Signy Island* on 10-160 meters, SSB, CW, RTTY
and FT8. Located at 60 degrees south / 45 degrees west, we expect
temperatures to hover around freezing most of the time, with constantly
changing conditions of wind, rain, snow and occasional sunshine.

The team will erect two extreme weather tents for radio operations,
sleeping and eating.

*Signy Island* is inhabited by birds, seals, penguins and sea lions. Our
campsite will be sited to avoid disturbance to the wildlife. Establishing a
camp site requires extensive research, documentation and permission from
multiple government agencies, all of which we have contacted.

The *RV Braveheart*, from Tauranga, New Zealand) will transport us from
Punta Arenas, Chile to Signy Island. The ship will remain on station during
the project. Braveheart owner Nigel Jolly and skipper Matt Jolly have both
been to Signy Island and are well aware of the geography and challenges
associated with a project of this type.

*Most Recent DXpedition Operation:*
South Orkney (Signy) Island was last activated by a major DX-pedition as
VP8ORK in Jan/Feb 2011 by the *Micro-Lite Penguin Expedition Team* which
made almost 64,000 contacts.  By the time we arrive it will have been 9
years since its last activation. We appreciate the assistance we received
from Ralph Fedor K0IR, and Don Greenbaum N1DG, team members of the 2011
VP8ORK DXpedition.


*Project Cost:*The activation of South Orkney Island will be an expensive
project with an estimated budget of approximately $325,000(USD). As with
all DXpeditions into the Southern Ocean, the most expensive line item is
the ship charter followed by freight.*We established a budget plan that
seeks 50% funding from the DX community and the remaining 50% from the
DX-pedition team. By making a donation you can help us offset the cost of
this project.*

Because of the expected extreme weather, heavy-duty tents suitable for the
environment will be used. These tents are very expensive and each weigh
approximately 600 pounds (270 kg).

Due to the cost of activating this DXCC entity, it is expected to be
several years before it is again activated.
-- 
73,

Spence

*Spencer W. Graham, II*
*WT8WV*
*73 Crosby Road*
*Morgantown, WV 26508*

*2017-2019 VP of Monongalia Wireless Association http://www.w8mwa.org/
<http://www.w8mwa.org/> *
*ARRL Volunteer Examiner *
*W5YI Volunteer Examiner*
*Laurel ARC Volunteer Examiner*
*ARRL WV Section Affiliate Club Coordinator *

*Check Out My Ham Radio Blog Site...  http://kb8fir.wordpress.com
<http://kb8fir.wordpress.com>*

*(ex-KB8FIR and ex-KA8LJO)*
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://mailman.qth.net/pipermail/w8mwa/attachments/20200105/70d42c37/attachment-0001.html>