Category - Blog

I really need your co-operation on this. Please DO NOT email me about Busted / Missing Calls. On OQRS Log search there is a blue button  for NOT IN LOG inquiries. This sends a ticket to the QSL Managers work queue & because it is integrated into OQRS the ticket sends me straight to the section of log i need to search.. These will be dealt with as soon as possible. 

Emails will be deleted. Do not send files, screen shots logs or anything like that by email unless asked to do so. I cannot stress enough it is pointless sending me a busted call email as i will send you to OQRS.
I will answer emails about LoTW, so long as you have checked your LoTW account first!! Thank you!

Unfortunately we have been unable to get the latest Bureau parcel to Spain URE. Spanish customs have returned the parcel as “Missing Customs Declaration” despite the declaration being right next to the return label. Bureau system is in crisis!

We cannot guarantee the Bureau route. If you need a QSL – REQUEST DIRECT. This is happening all too often now and I reported the problems to IARU as long ago as 2017 that this was going to happen with the World Customs Organisation new regulations. Sadly there is nothing we can do. Is it time now to stop Bureau requests? Because i see no other way forward.

Not allowed to send as GIFT, Not allowed to send as DOCUMENTS. Must have value but how do you value something with no value and how do you provide an invoice if the recipient (The IARU Bureau) did not pay for a product? Complete FARCE.

We are currently discussing with URE. Re-posted to Spain 13/03/2024

I can’t even guess how many emails I get every day concerning LoTW upload problems. “Why haven’t you uploaded my LoTW?” “Been waiting still nothing” Nearly ALL of the problems are caused by those of you who think that just because their logging software uploads every QSO one at a time, that it actually does! Reality check here guys, it doesn’t always work.
I strongly recommend that you DO NOT upload one QSO at a time from your logging software but maybe upload once a week, and actually go into your LoTW account and look to see has it uploaded? Or has it failed?
If you find that you are in a position where your LoTW QSO’s  are missing, BEFORE you come shouting at me blaming me, go into your LoTW account and LOOK, search for the missing Qs. Check your side please before wasting my time. I am always here to help those who genuinely do not know what or where to look, they are the only emails I want to see okay? Thank you.

Preparations are ongoing and well underway for a March 4-16, 2024 DX-pedition to Grenada J38R. The group has expanded and as such we have secured a second house / QTH at the ocean in Sauteurs to accommodate more operators. We will be active with three high power stations and one for FT8-RTTY from 10-160m. For the lowbands we have RX antennas.

We will miss the expertise and company of our good friend Ghis ON5NT, who had to reschedule due to a newly emerged priority. Other experienced operators DX-peditioners stepped in and the group now comprises: ON4HIL, ON4MA, ON5RA, ON5TN, ON6CC and ON7RU

We can say with great pride that we have formed a team of operators who have experience in all aspects of managing a DX-pedition. Most of us have already successfully completed several DX-peditions. We will do our very best in trying to get everyone in the log, on as many bands and modes as possible. As Grenada is high on the “wishlist” as far as the lower bands are concerned, we will be QRV on 80m & 160m as well, but we will also give the newcomers the chance to work us as an “ATNO”. If a good internet connection allows, we will be able to offer “Club Log llive stream” so you can immediately check whether you are in the log or not. If this is not possible, we will upload the log at least on a daily basis. If you are not in the log, please try again!

Callsign has been assigned by NTRC. 

The Intrepid-DX Group is pleased to announce that all of our plans to activate H40WA Temotu Province are going well.

Due to changes in flight schedules, we are announcing our operational dates will be from February 22nd, 2024 and we will complete our operations on March 7th 2024.

We have assembled a team of eight operators to make a fifteen-day activation of this entity. Temotu Province ranks #45 on Clublog’s most wanted DXCC list.

Team members include: Rob N7QT, Paul N6PSE, Scott NE9U, Jay K4ZLE, Jay AC7DC, Bruce K3NQ, Don N6JRL and David AH6HY. We will make a significant effort on the low bands during this activation. We will use 1500 watts on the 80/160 meter bands. We will use CW/SSB and FT8 Fox/Hound modes. We are not using MSHV.

IOTA OC-065 – Grid RH39vg – CQ Zone 32 – ITU Zone 51

2,600 letters posted this morning 31st January 2024. H44WA QSL cards will soon be with you.

Our departure windows are governed by the tides and weather forecast.
We can’t move people between the ship/shore at night, so we’re limited in options.
We’re estimating numerous shore – ship – shore runs to clear the island of equipment and people.

Based on today’s WX forecast the plan is:
All local dates:
– Saturday, Jan 27th begin tear down, and removal of all non-essential equipment and HF antennas. There may be some low band operation this night
— Sunday, Jan 28th removal all DXpedition equipment and people from the island
– Monday, Jan 29th remove any remaining equipment and depart for San Diego

Expect 7 – 8-day journey to San Diego

The pileups were fun, we know many ATNOs were logged, and certainly more band fills.
We hope you had fun chasing us.  73,  GS K5GS for the team

As anyone who has been on an expedition to an uninhabited Pacific Island knows, things change in an instant and you need to be flexible. The weather continues to be our challenge so we redesigned the campsite on the fly to a smaller footprint. We have one operating tent with 5 radio positions, 1 satellite tent, 1 combined HQ / science tent and 8 sleeping tents.

Second to the weather, the next major challenge is the reef that circles the island. Getting over the reef requires a boat that can sustain hull / bottom damage if (when) it hits the reef, and it will strike the reef. The winds are typically 15 – 20 knots, the photos you see of the surf are what we’re seeing 24 hours a day.

With the revised footprint we are removing non-essential equipment from the island before the actual departure date, which was planned for about Jan 30th. The journey to the island took an extra day so we need to consider that on the return trip. The skipper will establish the actual departure day, he’s closely monitoring the weather situation.

Today the 80m and 60m, antennas were installed. We’ll spend a couple of days on 80 then re-provision it for 160. We do have a dedicated 160m antenna but believe it’s too windy to install. We made some contacts on 6m and will be on 6 EME at our moon rise today.
Everyone is in good spirits, a few minor scraps and scratches, but nothing requiring more than a band aid.

As you probably know, to date, the bands have been smoking hot. At this writing over 30,500 QSOs with a 2.2% dupe rate. The pileups are constant and “energetic. We do appreciate it when we ask the pileup to QRX and allow the operator to work a particular caller. We’re meeting our objective, we’re told a lot of ATNOs are being claimed.

It remains very hot and humid during the day, with some moderation at night.  Cheers, GS K5GS for the TX5S Team