Category - Blog

The seas have been calm; we passed the half way point last night. The /MM station has been busy, with over 1,500 Qs in the log. Francesco IK0FVC is the primary SSB operator, various other operators have been working CW / FT8. Today we begin conducting planning meetings for the arrival.

As a reminder, we are using WSJT-X in Fox/Hound. Callers “must” transmit above 1,000hz.  Please note:  we are not using MSHV or any other derivative. Additionally, we plan to operate split on the other modes.  This morning we installed a 6m dipole and are making FT8 contacts, 50.313.
 
Shogun has 3 custom built, double bottomed, aluminum skiffs, designed to minimize damage when transiting the reef. The boat crew developed their landing plan and they will help us with some of our major tasks.    Cheers, GS K5GS

We had a late start from San Diego due to weather. After the first day of rough seas the ocean is now relatively calm and the team is in the ship’s routine.

Currently, we’re about 3.5 days from Clipperton. We estimate 2 days to move the equipment to the island and setup the campsites.

The Elecraft K4 / KPA-500 is being used on CW, SSB and FT8, last count just over 1000 QSOs in the log.
While underway we’re using N6WM/MM.
The /MM QSL card will include a Date / Time – Grid Square lookup table.

The Early Donor Program has been extended until the first QSO from the island is logged.  Cheers,  GS K5GS

In preparation for the H44WA QSL cards arriving here in two weeks time from now, I have printed off all QSO and address labels from OQRS. OQRS will now show the “QSL Status” as SENT. They will not be sent yet of course until i post the letters at the end of January all being well.
It seems that some of you are very famous and do not need a street number or street name on your letter? Please always make sure that you enter the address correctly on OQRS, this is the first line of ensuring that your QSL gets to you without any dramas. Considerable time and effort has gone into proof reading and correcting some of your addresses which would have failed to get to you had i left them.
I now have several boxes of envelopes ready for the printed cards to arrive.

After a bumpy first 12 hours the seas have calmed down and the team is getting into the Shogun’s daily routine.
Boat crew served a wonderful breakfast this morning, and posted today’s menu.
Over the next few days, we’ll have team meetings to discuss the: landing plan, campsite setup / management, and then radio setup / operations.
The maritime mobile station is up and running: N6WM/MM using the Elecraft K4D, KPA-500 and a 4BTV vertical antenna.
To answer a question we’ve received: The TX5S call sign is only valid for 15 days, we could not use it for the /MM operation.

Cheers, GS K5GS

San Diego – We began loading the boat at 8AM on Tuesday. Three helpers from Fishermen’s Landing, 4 or 5 crew from Shogun and several of the TX5S team. By noon almost all of the equipment was aboard with just the generators on the landing waiting to be brought aboard this morning.
Just a few more supplies to buy at Costco today and we leave on Thursday morning after our passports are inspected.
Have fun in the pileups, should be no problem to work us from Tucson.

You can donate to TX5S on the Team Webpage. 

Jan. 1, 2024  TX5S Clipperton Island DXpedition  (NA-011)  January 18 – February 1, 2024
This will be the last Press Release before we depart from San Diego on January 11, 2024. We will release periodic updates from the island.
The DXpedition equipment is packed and ready for the voyage to Clipperton Island, the team will begin assembling in San Diego on January 8th. Weather permitting, we expect a 6 day voyage each way, camp setup will take approximately 1.5 – 2 days.

Follow the Shogun
We expect to have a Garmin in Reach transmitting Shogun’s position at regular intervals. You may follow the ship at: https://share.garmin.com/TX5S Also reachable from the website: TX5S.net

Log Uploads
There will be two Starlink terminals on the island. Logs will be uploaded at least once a day to both Clublog and to M0URX.com ClubLog Live Stream will be available at: https://clublog.org/livestream/TX5S
Shortly after we leave the island, confirmation requests (OQRS) will be processed only at M0URX.com
Early donors that work us will receive their LoTW while we are on the island.

Not in Log and busted calls will be investigated by submitting the form at M0URX.com.
Please, no emails about Not in Log or busted calls. You must use the reporting form on the OQRS system.

K6TU Propagation Tools
Stu K6TU has again made his personalized propagation tools available at no charge during TX5S. You can click on the logo displayed at: https://clip.pdxg.net/k6tu-propagation-tools/
DR2W Propagation Tool
Another package of free to use propagation tools are available by clicking the link at:
https://clip.pdxg.net/dr2w-propagation-tool/

Groups.io Forum
The pilot team will use Groups.io to collect input from the DX community. A Groups.io account is required to post to the group. You may subscribe to the forum by sending an e-mail to: Clipperton-2024+subscribe@groups.io You may also e-mail the pilots with your reports, although Groups.io is the preferred method.

Fundraising:
TX5S donations are only at ~53% of the goal. While adding a donation to your OQRS request is always appreciated, the cash flow challenge is real, the bills must be paid before we sail.
Since the last press release the following organizations have joined the project as sponsors:
– Liga Amadores Bras de Rádio Emissão (Brazil)
League of Brazilian Amateur Radio Broadcasters
– Motherlode DX Club (significant donation)
– The Carolina DX Association

We wish to thank the organizations and individuals who have already pledged their support to TX5S and ask those of you who have not yet processed a donation to consider supporting the project before we sail on January 11, 2024.
FT8 Operation: Unless otherwise noted, we will use WSJT-X in Fox/Hound mode. You must transmit above 1,000hz.

Special Thanks to Our Suppliers:
Equipment support from our suppliers was welcomed.
DX Engineering, Elecraft, RadioSport, ON5UR QSL Print Service, The DX Store, M0URX.com, The Daily DX , LBS, RigExpert, Spiderbeam and SQ1K Bart’s Shop (for providing the team clothing). Additionally, John N7CQQ provided the 240V amplifier power grid, and other items, from previous Clipperton DXpeditions.
Good luck in the pileups.
73,
Clipperton 2024 Team
Social Media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tx5s2024
Website: TX5S.net
Groups.IO: Clipperton-2024
Questions to: info@pdxg.net

The work from the November DXpedition H44WA to the Solomon Islands has continued and we are now pleased to report the QSL card has been designed by ON5UR Max and the QSL is now in the print room. We expect to be able to post cards out later in January. You can request your QSL on OQRS.

TX5S Clipperton Island DXpedition (NA-011) January 18 – February 1, 2024

Equipment Week: During the first week of December several team members will meet in Northern California to prepare the campsite and radio equipment for shipment to our boat Shogun which is docked at San Diego. We will inventory the tents and review their installation procedures, the Elecraft transceivers will be integrated with the computers, amplifiers, and the island’s WIFI environment will be configured and integrated with Starlink. The EME and satellite stations are separate turnkey packages. Shogun will provide meals on the island; we will provide the necessary campsite logistics and management.

Clipperton Island ATNO Day Planned Clipperton remains #26 most wanted in Europe and #37 most wanted globally. It will have been 11 years since the last major DXpedition to Clipperton we know there are many people that need it for an All Time New One and band fills.

Log Uploads We plan to upload the logs at least once a day to both Clublog and to M0URX.com

Shortly after we leave the island confirmation requests (OQRS) will be processed only at M0URX.com

Not in Log and busted calls will be investigated by submitting the form at M0URX.com. Please, no emails about Not in Log or busted calls, you must use the reporting form on the OQRS system.

FT8 Operation The team will use WSJT-X exclusively for all FT8 operation. We plan to use Fox / Hound on non-standard frequencies. Occasionally, we might start up on a standard frequency in normal mode, then QSY. See the website for the band plan.

Groups.io Forum The pilot team will be using Groups.io to collect input from the DX community. The process worked so well at VP8PJ we will again use it again. A Groups.io account is required to post to the group. You may subscribe to the forum by sending an e-mail to: Clipperton-2024+subscribe@groups.io

Fundraising: The long-standing DX-pedition funding model is to split the DX-pedition cost equally between the expedition team and the DX community, i.e., organizations and individuals. TX5S donations are only at ~45% of the goal. While adding a donation to your OQRS request is always appreciated, the cash flow challenge is real, we must pay the bills before we sail, we need your help.

Since the last press release the following organizations have joined the project as sponsors:

– Northern California DX Club
– Fort Wayne DX Association

Sponsor logos appear on our website and will appear on the TX5S QSL card. We wish to thank the organizations and individuals who have already pledged their support to TX5S and ask those of you who have not yet processed a donation to consider supporting the project before we sail on January 11, 2024. After the books close, all sponsoring clubs / foundations will receive a TX5S financial summary.

Social Media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tx5s2024 Website: TX5S.net

Groups.IO: Clipperton-2024 Questions to: info@pdxg.net 73, Clipperton 2024 Team