W1DED Kevin, has interviewed TX5S co-leader K3EL, Dave Lloyd, about the upcoming Clipperton Island Dxpedition. TX5S is planned for January, 2024 by the “Perseverance DX Group.” Dave talks about all things DXpedition in this interview. You can find out more about this DXpedition on the website link TX5S.
For Immediate Release Press Release #5 August 8, 2023
TX5S Clipperton Island DXpedition (NA-011) January 18 – February 1, 2024
Camp Site Design: Detailed planning is underway.
Our current plan consists of two operating camps: CW/Digital/Satellite/EME and SSB/Digital.
The camps will be separated by about 500 meters, with CW located at the main campsite and SSB being the distant camp. The combination of distance, bandpass filters, horizontal and vertically polarized antennas at both camps will enable simultaneous operation on the same band. WiFi networking will link the camps.
The main encampment consists of ten sleeping tents (two people per tent) the CW tent, kitchen / dining tent and a HQ/networking tent. The power grid will consist of six Generac GP6500 generators. Five units will be on-line 24X7 and one spare.
TX5S Team: The nineteen person team consists of sixteen radio operators, one scientist each from the University of French Polynesia and the University of Orleans, and one environmentalist from the Association la Passion-Clipperton (France). The radio operators are each experienced DXpedition operators and/or contest operators.
Internet Availability: Confirmed (in writing) from Space X, Clipperton is within the Starlink footprint. We will have at least one Starlink terminal online 24/7. Logs will be uploaded to M0URX.com at least once per day.
Corporate Sponsors:- Elecraft has been a long time partner of PDXG projects, and the tradition continues. Elecraft will provide several K4D transceivers and KPA-1500 amplifiers to augment our lineup of K3 transceivers and KPA-500 amplifiers.
– SSB-Electronic GmbH (Germany) offered to supply equipment for the project.
Fundraising: Our goal is always to split the expedition funding approximately equally between the expedition operators and the DX community – organizations and individuals. At the moment we still have a long way to go to reach that goal, and if you need Clipperton for an ATNO or will work us for the DX Marathon or a club competition or similar, or just for the fun of competing in the pileups, we would appreciate your help. Most bills must be paid before we sail, and we wish to thank those organizations and individuals who have already pledged their support to TX5S.”
Since the last press release the following organizations have joined the project as sponsors:
– Eastern Iowa DX Association
– West Virginia DX Association – significant donation to the project
– Lynx DX Group
– Northeast Wisconsin DX Association
Sponsor logos appear on our website and will appear on the TX5S QSL card.
Ham Radio Events: We met many DXers at the Dayton (Xenia) Hamvention and at Ham Radio, Friedrichshafen (Germany).
Next stop will be Tokyo Ham Fair in August where we will attend a DX Seminar / Dinner on Saturday, August 19th. Additional details: http://ict-kuwa.net/tokyodxseminar/TX5S was featured at the July Ham Radio Festival, Kansai, Japan
Social Media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tx5s2024 Website: https://TX5S.net Additional details will be released as they develop. Questions to: info@pdxg.net
73, Clipperton 2024 Team
Argentina QSL Bureau has given us many problems with mail being returned since 2015, this package sent last July was returned in October, re-posted in October and returned in July 2023.
Sadly I am no longer able to continue sending Bureau cards to Argentina!
In an email from Argentina QSL Bureau i am informed that there is no communication from the PO that the package is ready for collection when it gets handed from customs to Argentina Post. As this is a long term issue I have asked the team to discuss with the mail center manager, because we are just not able to get QSL cards to the Bureau in Argentina.
Welcome to Gary, VK8AW from the Northern Territory, Australia to the UR QSL Management. QSL cards will be available soon. OQRS Open!
4U100QO is active on QO satellite from the United Nations Vienna International Center, Austria. OQRS open.
Welcome to HARES – Hinckley Amateur Radio & Electronic Society to UR QSL Management. QSL cards now available on OQRS.
TX5S Clipperton Island DXpedition (NA-011) January 18 – February 1, 2024 (June 30, 2023)
Corporate Sponsors: Joining as a Corporate Sponsor is: Bart, SQ1K – Embroidery For Ham Radio Bart is providing the team with TX5S clothing which will also be available at his webstores at: https://www.ebay.com/str/sq1kbartsstore and https://www.etsy.com/shop/sq1kbartsshop/?etsrc=sdt Equipment Week: The first of two equipment consolidation projects occurred on June 6 – 8, 2023. Team members met in California to begin the process of emptying and inventorying and our equipment storage locker to make room for TX5S equipment.
John Kennon N7CQQ, a veteran of three Clipperton DXpeditions, donated equipment from his previous projects. Most importantly are the 220VAC power grid and rebar tent / antenna staking solutions used in past years.
The next planned equipment meeting will be in December, 2023 to integrate, test and repack the DXpedition equipment. Beginning in July we will be sourcing the campsite tents, generators and other logistics.
Satellite Update: Our satellite station manager, Andreas N6NU reports the following preparation activities:
First QSO’s made on the IO-117 (GreenCube) Satellite. This Satellite has passes that last over an hour and has a huge footprint since it is in an almost 6,000 KM orbit.
Andreas has an 11 Element 70CM antenna, RAS Mini AZ/EL rotator with Green Heron Controller, Icom IC-9100H, Rigblaster TI-5000 and Icom AG-35 mast mounted pre-amp. The 6ft mast uses a home brew base. The next step is to configure an Icom IC-9700 as backup. Then on to RS44 and 6m and 23 cm EME.
We appreciate the help and advice offered by several AMSAT members.
Ham Radio Events: We met many DXers at the Dayton Hamvention and at Ham Radio Friedrichshafen (Germany). Next stop will be Tokyo Ham Fair in August where we will attend a DX Seminar / Dinner on Saturday, August 19th. Additional details: http://ict-kuwa.net/tokyodxseminar/
Fundraising: Our fundraising campaign continues with 29 Clubs / Foundations and 147 individuals showing their support for the project.
At 31% of the target, we still have a long way to go in order to reach the goal of 50% team member funding of the estimated project cost of $350,000(USD). If you need Clipperton for an ATNO, or will work us, we would appreciate your help, most bills must be paid before we sail. We wish to thank those organizations and individuals who have already pledged their support to TX5S.
Since the last press release the following organizations have joined the project as sponsors:
– The German DX Foundation – with a significant grant to TX5S
– Kansas City DX Club
– Nara DX Association
– Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB)
– GMDX Group
– West Tennessee DX Association
– Dominion DX Group
– Tokyo 610 Group
– East Tennessee DX Association
– Madison DX Club
– Tennessee Valley DX Association
Social Media: You can follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tx5s2024
Additional details will be released as they develop. Website: https://TX5S.net Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tx5s2024 Please direct your questions to: info@pdxg.net
73, Clipperton 2024 Team
The Northern California DX Foundation (NCDXF) recognizes the negative impact deliberate QRM (DQRM) is having on our hobby. We believe this is a problem that can be mitigated by amateur radio operators applying their vast knowledge and creativity to the advanced receiving and direction finding technology currently available. In order to spur research into solving this problem the NCDXF Board of Directors at their April 2023 Board Meeting allocated $100,000 for grants to develop DQRM solutions.
NCDXF will entertain grant proposals from individuals or groups that specifically outline their approach to identify bad actors. A group of NCDXF Directors led by Craig Thompson, K9CT and Don Greenbaum, N1DG will weigh the probability of success of their proposals as well as monitor the progress of the grantees.
Funding will be available for R&D as well as implementation of technology proposals. It is hoped that manufacturers will also assist NCDXF and grantees with equipment and other resources.
NCDXF will shortly outline specifics for how to apply for these DQRM grants. We have created a webpage devoted to this project, DQRM Project
Thanks and 73, Craig K9CT NCDXF Vice President