9M6DXX QRV

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Created on Sunday, 29 April 2012 17:07

9M6DXX, Steve, has been QRV on Sunday on 15m with S9+ signals into Europe and East coast USA. Valid for the ARRL Diamond DXCC Challenge as British North Borneo. Good to see the band conditons improving once again.

YJ0VK DXpedition to Vanuatu were heard here for about 9 hours today on 20m and doing an excellent job from YJ.

High winds here in England stopped much of my transmissions today, the storm has now passed and antenna is back in the air. First signs of 6m opening with some Sporadic E signals from much of Europe today.

Bureau Cards Posted

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Created on Monday, 23 April 2012 21:04

6,100 QSL cards have been posted 24/04/2012 to 77 World Bureaus, weight: 26.kg cost: £214.30 - £8.25 per kg.
This posting includes 1,000 Bureau cards from TN2T DXpedition in January.

If you work at the Bureaus and receive my package please let me know its progress. It is always good to be sure that my Bureau packages are processed quickly. Thank you.

Click title to see full list of Bureaus.

Read more: Bureau Cards Posted

OQRS & How to log your QSL Request

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Created on Tuesday, 17 April 2012 20:18

OQRS - Online QSL Request System is a relatively recent addition to the tool used by the DXer to request a QSL from the DXpedition. From my experience many of you are not sure how to use OQRS in relation to your QSLing and logging needs.
 
Firstly it is most important to remember that YOUR QSL card is NOT required for DXpeditions, IOTA's and some rare DX activity. If you use my OQRS and I need your QSL then I will email you and ask you for your card.

Once you have made your OQRS request you MUST enter into your logbook in the "QSL OUT" field that the QSL card is sent, write "OD 10/02/2012" OD = OQRS DIRECT or "OB 10/02/2012" OB = OQRS Bureau.

If your log does not allow for OQRS then write in the "REMARKS" field that the QSL card has been requested and the date. This may all sound like common sense, but as I am receiving sometimes several OQRS, direct letters and Bureau cards for the same single QSO it is quite clear that there needs to be much better log keeping by DXers.
By bombarding me with duplicate QSL requests just slows my work down and delays ALL outgoing mail so I must ask you please to think!

VERY IMPORTANT - If an OQRS is available then NO QSL cards should be sent Via Bureau, only those who have no internet access.

How do I know when my OQRS has been processed?
You can log into my OQRS with your email address and call sign at any time. You will see your QSL requests listed as "OPEN" this means i have opened the request. Once I have then processed your request you will see "PROCESSED" next to the QSO details.
The QSL will be posted direct quickly. Bureau dispatches are sent directly to each world Bureau every 3 months.

Why does it cost more than $2?
When using PayPal for small transactions there is a PayPal charge of 42c that I have to pay for every transaction. This is why my OQRS is set at €2 to cover this charge and that of the envelope and ink. This is still cheaper than your postage costs.

We have a duty to reduce waste that goes through our Bureau system, this will speed up QSL delivery times and reduce costs for the IARU Bureaus.

Don't Send It - Request It! - Use OQRS

MC0SHL

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Created on Tuesday, 17 April 2012 16:39

Members of the Strumble Head DX & Contest Group will be active once more from their Club Station in the Pembrokeshire National Park in Wales. QRV as MC0SHL 

GMDX Convention 2012 - Excellent Weekend!

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Created on Monday, 16 April 2012 20:24

Written by Chris Colclough, G1VDP.

This past weekend (April 13th to 15th 2012) saw the GMDX Convention take place at the King Robert Hotel outside Stirling, Scotland. Ant (MW0JZE), Tim (M0URX) and Chris (G1VDP) attended the event, with Tim giving a presentation on the trip to 4W6A by the guys in 2011.

Ant drove from his home in West Wales on Thursday evening and stayed over night with Tim at his home in Coventry. On Friday the pair made the short journey to collect Chris from his home and then drove the 300 miles to Stirling. This journey took them 4 1/2 hours arriving to a warm welcome at the hotel around 16:30 local time. This meant a quick refreshing drink and then get ready for the evening meal and having some fun with the other attendees who had arrived on the Friday evening.

Robbie (GM3YTS) had booked a table at a local pub/restaurant for 14 people, but this had expanded to 20 by the time everyone was ready to sit down. Fine cuisine and local hospitality was certainly welcome, and the company we were in was superb. The conversation (and beer) flowed well and new friendships were made over a glass or two. Returning to the hotel the conversation and beer carried on for another couple of hours, but the lads were all tired and decided to have an early night - by their standards - and retired to bed around midnight (local).

Saturday again was an informal morning with the convention kicking off with the presentations at 13:00, so this allowed the guys time to go and visit the Bannockburn Heritage centre next door to the hotel. The hotel, and indeed the local area, ar all on the edge of the historic battlefield of Bannockburn, where Robert the Bruce of Scotland defeated the English army of King Edward 1st in 1314, and thus securing their independence from English rule. The centre has a short film depicting the battle as seen through the eyes of a small boy who then becomes a scribe and writes down his memoirs, and with the static displays and the chance to try on the armour worn back in the day which the guys found most interesting. One thing they did find out is that the chain mail armour that was worn weighed in at some heavy kilos, and the helmets would do more harm than good when struck. A  fascinating part of our past and worth the visit.

A return to the hotel and meet up in the bar for a quick lunch and chat with friends old and new before the proceedings started in earnest. Robbie (GM3YTS) kicked off the proceedings with his introduction and welcome speech before Chris (GM3WOJ) gave the first talk on his trip to ZK2V (Niue) and his experiences out there. Tim followed Chris with the presentation on 4W6A and once again we established a link with Stuie (VK8NSB) in Darwin, Australia over SKYPE. This was well received by all in attendance and a number of people were surprised at how well the link lasted and the quality of the video and audio from our friend in Oz. At this point a short break was taken for coffee, and we thank all who came up to Tim, Ant & Chris to comment on the presentation and the link with Stuie.

It was then the turn of John (G3WGV) and Clive (GM3POI) to give the presentation on the T32C trip to Kiritimati Island (Christmas Island) in the Pacific ocean. This trip was by the FSDXA who had spent thousands of dollars and many months planning for it to go wrong and then be rescued at the 11th hour. They broke some of the DXpedition world records and have once more moved the bar for this type of expedition to these remote islands and wanted DXCC entities.

Again a 5 minute break for the T32C guys to take out their laptop and for the Belgians boys in attendance to set up their laptop and get ready for their talk on the trip to Rockall (IOTA EU-189). Patrick (ON4HIL) and Marc (ON6CC) had been trying for over 2 years to make this happen - Rockall is basically a lump of Rock 300 miles from the nearest coast line of any Scottish Island or mainland and is in the North Atlantic ocean, a inhospitable place at the best of times! It is one of the most wanted island groups in the RSGB IOTA award programme and probably one of the most dangerous to get on and off to activate. They also showed a video of about 45 minutes of the journey out and on the rock.

The team had to undergo a lot of training for their safety and just to get the permission to get out to the island. We would like to thank the 2 guys for travelling from their homes and for the presentation. we also had some fun and drinks with them both in the bar on Friday and Saturday evening so thanks guys for attending.

Robbie then brought this part of the day to a close at 18:00, allowing all attendees to have a quick drink and chat in the bar before getting ready for the evening meal and socialising. This also gave everyone time to discuss where all the presenters are next planning to activate, and for some secrets to be gleaned from them. Don't worry we will keep it quiet on where you are going Patrick!!!

The time came for the everyone to sit down at their tables for the dinner and presentations. Tim, Ant and Chris were joined by Col (MM0NDX of DX World.net), Dave (MM0EAX), Clive (GM3POI), Cris (GM4FAM), Chris (GM3WOJ) and Colin (GM0RLZ). The conversation was naturally about DXing, contests and Antennas with Ant and Clive discussing the best antennas for inter UK working on 80M. There was also 3 quizzes running through out the meal. The first being one of flag recognition, where we had to name the countries flag and capitol city. A DX quiz and a general knowledge quiz. The table, table 3, came 2nd in the flag quiz - winning a bottle of white wine - and 1st in the DX quiz - winning a bottle of red wine. The General knowledge was not our best result. Fabulous fun and excellent company.

The presentations took place following the meal. These were in the guise of a GMDX Mug for all the presenters and 2 special presentations of a Quaich, a pewter dish with Celtic handles.

These werepresented to Col (MM0NDX) for his work on DX World, and to Marc (ON6CC) and Patrick (ON4HIL) for their work in activating Rockall. Well done to all who received a mug. Chris (GM3WOJ) donated his to the SHDXCG boys to send over to Stuie (VK8NSB) in Australia and we would like to thank Chris for this generous offer. I am sure Stuie will have it in his shack as a souvenir.

When all was done it was time to retire to the bar for more chat and drinks. There was a wide choice of Whisky to choose from behind the bar, and a few of the boys decided to sample a few of them. But before too long it was time to retire and sleep ready for the journey home the following morning.

Following a hearty breakfast the boys all checked out of their rooms and said their farewells, with a promise to be back again next year where they are thinking of extending the trip with their wives and girlfriends for a few days up in Orkney. On the return they decided to call in on Charles (M0OXO) and his wife Debbie to have a refreshing cuppa and a break from the journey. Charles and Debbie extended their usual superb hospitality and we thank them for the refresher. A quick drive through Barnsley and down the M1 to deposit Chris at his home, and Tim at his in Coventry. Ant eventually arrived home in Llanelli as the time approached 20:00 local - a total journey time of almost 11 hours.

We would like to thank the GMDX group for their hospitality and welcome, and to all who attended and spent time chatting with us. We hope to see you all again soon, and we will definitely be back for the next GMDX Convention!

Thank you to Chris Colclough, G1VDP, for permission to show this article here.

Postal Prices Increase

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Created on Wednesday, 28 March 2012 14:16

Royal Mail announced yesterday significant postal price rises of up to 30% for the United Kingdom from April. After looking into the prices and with some restructuring here, i am pleased to announce that I will NOT be increasing my QSL charges. The standard US$2 or 1 x IRC will still be enough for me to send you the QSL card.
Multiple QSL request prices are listed here and will remain unchanged.

What this means is that there will be less money available to fund the Bureau posting. Remember as we are classed as a "Heavy User" of the Bureau system I am not permitted to send my cards through the RSGB Bureau. All Bureau postings have to be funded by the incoming $ and IRC's and generous donations of you guys which we really appreciate.
So to help fund the Bureau postings I am increasing the cost of re-selling International Reply Coupons (IRC's) to £1.10.
The IRC shop is here.

Finally i must now say that NO stamps will be accepted for QSL posting. The costs are US$2 or 1 x IRC or if you use OQRS €2 for everyone. Stamps are of no use to me, I DO NOT USE postage stamps. Sorry!

Thank you for your attention 73' Tim M0URX

CQ WPX SSB 9M8Z

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Created on Monday, 19 March 2012 07:53

Steve, 9M6DXX will be operating again as 9M8Z in the CQ WPX SSB contest next weekend. Activity will be all bands, but concentrating on 15, 20 and 40m.

I will also be active on SSB only for three days following the contest and should, all being well, have access to some good antennas, particularly on 15m and 80m. These are a 15m 7-element monoband Yagi, fixed on Europe, and a rotatable 80m dipole at 130ft above ground.

73, Steve, 9M6DXX / 9M8Z

QSL Via M0URX

IRC's for sale

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Created on Wednesday, 07 March 2012 00:00

I have a number of IRC's for sale at £1.10 GBP each plus postage costs.
If you would like to buy some please use "Contact M0URX" page.
More info Click Here: IRC's For Sale!
If paying by Paypal it will cost a little more due to PayPal charges.

CY9M Update Report

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Created on Tuesday, 28 February 2012 20:20

As is now commonly known already via most social media outlets, the callsign for the 2012 St Paul Island Dxpedition is *CY9M*.

Since the first press release, progress continues at a fast rate of knots. It’s clear to see, with clubs and organisations joining our project, that demand for this DXCC entity is significantly higher than many operators perhaps realise. We thank each and everyone who supports this exciting expedition.

The website is now launched. Credit indeed to the team behind DX Coffee<http://www.dxcoffee.com/eng/>for
this important aspect of the CY9M journey. You may want to use the logo (designed by Jen, wife of team member AB5EB) for your personal website and support.

Twitter will also be used by various team members as we traverse – join and follow us.

Website: *http://www.cy9m.com/*
Twitter: *https://twitter.com/#!/CY9M*

(Editor) United Radio QSL Bureau are proud to be associated with this project. You can be sure that we will be working hard to give the team the support they need following this expedition.

TN2T QSL

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Created on Thursday, 23 February 2012 21:28

9M8Z Sarawak East Malaysia - CQ WPX SSB

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Created on Wednesday, 22 February 2012 10:39

Steve, 9M6DXX, will be operating as 9M8Z from Sarawak (DXCC East Malaysia, IOTA OC-088) once again from 23 to 28 March, including a single-operator all-band high-power entry in the CQ WPX SSB contest on 24 / 25 March.


QSL via Tim, M0URX, direct (SAE plus $2 or 1 new IRC), via the bureau, LoTW, or OQRS (see m0urx.com/oqrs).

73, Steve, 9M6DXX / 9M8Z

9M6XRO New QSL Design

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Created on Monday, 20 February 2012 13:30

A new QSL card has been designed for John 9M6XRO. Ten thousand QSL cards have been sent out in the last four years so it is time to have a new design. Cards will be available from March.

St Paul Island CY9M - 2012

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Created on Sunday, 12 February 2012 11:31

Press Release #1
St Paul Island is called the ”Graveyard of the Gulf” and that is where an international, seasoned team of DXers will be heading to later this year.

Plans are well under way for a 10-man team to activate this now wanted DXCC entity, which was last on air in 2005. When you consider most needed entities (perhaps out with the Top 10) are activated every five years or so, it is now time to mount a serious effort from CY9.

Most operators will be unaware that in 2010, St Paul Island became the highest mover on DX Magazines most wanted list; from #77 to #47. Today, according to that list and ClubLog, CY9 is more needed than entities such as Tokelau (ZK3) or PY0T (Trindade & Martim Vaz).

The team consists of Mike AB5EB, Oscar EA1DR, George EA2TA, Christian EA3NT, Simon IZ7ATN, Col MM0NDX, Bjorn SM0MDG, Vicky SV2KBS, Steve VA3FM and Kevin VE3EN.

From late July to early August, IOTA contest included, the group will be active all bands, modes (160-2m) with special attention on 6m and 160m if propagation allows.

A website is currently under construction and will be ready in a few short weeks where much more info can be found.

QSL manager for the expedition is M0URX. For more information click CY9M

TN2T QSL

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Created on Saturday, 11 February 2012 18:06

Work is continuing with TN2T, all direct letters received have been processed through the log, with OQRS requests being processed at the same time.

Max ON5UR has designed the QSL card which has now been printed and due to arrive here on 22nd February. QSL cards will be posted soon after.

LoTW has already been uploaded shortly after the DXpedition.

V85/9M8Z Brunei Darussalam

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Created on Tuesday, 07 February 2012 14:31

Steve 9M6DXX writes "I will be QRV as V85/9M8Z from Brunei (IOTA OC-088) from around 0900UTC on Friday 10 February until about 0100UTC on Monday 13 February. Activity will be on 10 - 80m, SSB only, using a Butternut HF6-V vertical on top of the hotel roof over 100ft high. On 80m I plan to use a quarter-wave inverted-L with elevated radials, also around 100ft high. Sunrise in Brunei is at 2236UTC, sunset at 1033UTC. QSL via M0URX direct (with SAE and $2 or 1 new IRC), bureau, OQRS or LoTW.
Logs will be uploaded to LoTW within a day or two of the operation concluding."

73, Steve, 9M6DXX / 9M8Z

Aurora over Faroe Islands

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Created on Thursday, 26 January 2012 21:40

OY1OF Ólavur Frederiksen this week reports that the strong Aurora made some quite specacular views on Faroe Islands. Thanks for sharing these beautiful images.
Photographs courtesy of Ólavur Frederiksen.

TN2T 22nd - 31st January 2012

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Created on Sunday, 15 January 2012 11:43

QSL Services Available

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Created on Saturday, 14 January 2012 17:22

Are you a DXpeditoner in the United Kingdom?
If you are a DXpeditioner planning an overseas expedition this year or a QSL manager sending International mailings and you are in the United Kingdom then you may be interested to read that i can add you as a "poster" on my International mailing contract.
 
You do not need to be posting huge amounts of mail to benefit from international posting at discount prices.
At a time when every penny counts and budgets are tightly squeezed this could help your DXpedition financially.
 
Once registered you will be expected to separate the mail into two Zones, European Union countries and Rest of the World, all in alphabetical order. You will need a set of letter scales and a calculator.
 
All billing is done on line, once you have filled in the posting docket and taken the mail to the nearest mail centre you transfer the money to my bank on line.
 
If you you are interested to know more please contact me off line or call me on 07976 292980.
 
QSL Managers Available for Worldwide Teams
If you are looking for experienced QSL Manager services for your DXpedition? Then both Charles Wilmott M0OXO http://www.m0oxo.com and Tim Beaumont M0URX http://www.m0urx.com both have capacity for QSL manager work for DXpeditions and IOTA's for 2012 and 2013.
 
Features:
OQRS and Pay Pal facilities incorporated on both websites.
Fully supported for Bureau in, and outbound QSLing direct to World Bureaus.
Fast LoTW uploads.
All QSL printing taken care of.
Fast and efficient outgoing direct QSL mailings assured.
and much more...

If you need further information please contact us direct.

Bureau QSL Posting

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Created on Thursday, 29 December 2011 20:08

Happy New Year from the Faroe Islands

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Created on Wednesday, 28 December 2011 19:11

In an email from OY1OF, Ólavur Frederiksen explains that he has been QRV as OY1OF/M in recent days working into North America.

Ólavur would like to wish you all a very Happy New Year.

Thanks for the photgraphs Ólavur I wish you all the best wishes for 2012.

Happy New Year 2012 from Tim, M0URX

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Created on Tuesday, 13 December 2011 14:49