NH8S, Swains Island DXpedition 2012, OC-200

Administrator 18 Juli 2012 Uncategorized 797 Views

http://www.nh8s.org/

NH8S, Swains Island DXpedition 2012, OC-200

IOTA OC-200 

Swains Island DXpedition
Scheduled for September 5 – 18, 2012
July 17, 2012
Press Release

Craig (K9CT) and Joe (W8GEX) are happy to report that preparations for the NH8S Swains Island DXpedition are on schedule.  The 20 man international team should be on the island from September 4, thru September 17.  Swains is # 31 most wanted worldwide. They will operate all bands with SSB, CW and RTTY.
A big thank you goes to John (N7CQQ) and Paul (W8AEF) for their time in building and testing the SVDA’s that will be used.  Thanks also to Paul (W6XA) and Tom (N4XP) for testing the radios, amps and laptops. All of the equipment has been shipped to Arnie (N6HC) in California for the upcoming departure via cargo ship later this week.  The QSLing will be handled by Joe (AA4NN) with help from his XYL Margarett.  Plans are to upload logs daily by satellite phone from the island to Clublog.
We are very grateful to our equipment sponsors, including: ICOM, Elecraft, VIbroplex, Innovantennas, DX Engineering, Heil Sound, Primus, Hi-Z Antennas, and The RF Connection.  Also to Kimo (KH7U) for the 160m vertical, and George (W8UVZ) for the Battle Creek Special.
We have updated our website with pictures, operating information and links.  Thanks to John (K6MM) for doing the webmaster duties.
There will be a great emphasis placed in working Europe where Swains is most needed.  We will have several receiving antennas aimed that direction.
It will be very hot and humid, and mosquitoes should be plentiful, so please have patience with the operators.  We ask that you listen to the operator instructions to ensure we are able to work as many stations as possible.  Please refer to our operating guidelines on the Band Plan page:
http://nh8s.org/pages/bandplan.html
This tent and generator operation is a very expensive endeavor, and the group is most grateful for the foundations, clubs and individuals who have already contributed.  For those that would like to donate, you may do so from our website: www.nh8s.org.
The skilled international crew that is looking forward to working you includes: 9V1FJ, AA4NN, DJ2VO, DL3DXX, K5AB, K9CS, K9CT, K9NW, KB8OCP, N2TU, N4HH, N6HC, NA6M, ND2T, SM5AQD, W4BUW, W6KK, W8GEX, W8TN, and WB9Z.

The team is grateful for the opportunity to activate a rare DXCC entity and, hopefully, work thousands of other DXers worldwide.  We look forward to having fun and making life-long friends.

CU in the pileups!

And don’t forget to sign our Guestbook — just click on the Coconuts!
73,
Your NH8S Team

Operating Plan


We want you in our log, so please help us by following these guidelines.
  1. If you cannot hear us – please don’t call us. Wait until propagation and conditions favor your QTH for one or more of the 11 Bands and 3 Modes. Eventually you WILL have a clear path to Swains Island. Be patient.
  2. Unless you hear otherwise from the Operator, we will ALWAYS be operating in SPLIT MODEthroughout the DXpedition.
  3. Listen to the Operator for RX frequencies (e.g., “up 5 to 10”, or “listening on 7.155”, etc.)
  4. You have two ears and one mouth, so please try to listen more, talk less. Be patient.
  5. During SSB pileups, please announce your full call clearly — ONCE — using common phonetics.
  6. During ALL pileups, listen for YOUR call on the comeback. Trust that we have two good ears.
  7. We’re not impressed by those who add to the QRM by constantly calling out of turn. Be patient.
  8. Please do not Tune Up on any of our TX frequencies or any of our RX slots!
  9. If we ask for “EU” only or “QRP only” or any other specific request, please QRX. Be patient.
  10. Resist those “insurance” QSOs. We want to maximize unique QSOs, not Dupes.
  11. Whenever possible, we will try to listen in the General portion of the band.
Remember: We want you in our log. Please help us get you there.
Tentative
Schedule
NH8S Band Plan
Our Transmit Frequencies
 Arrival
5-Sept-2012
Band (M)
CW
SSB
RTTY
 Setup
5-Sept-2012
160
1.826.5
 Start
6-Sept-2012
80
3.503
3.790
3.580
Stop
18-Sept-2012
60
5.403.5
5.403.5
 Teardown
18-Sept-2012
40
7.003
7.082
7.035
 Departure
19-Sept-2012
30
10.103
10.148
20
14.003
14.185
14.080
17
18.079
18.140
18.099
15
21.003
21.285
21.080
12
24.894
24.955
24.901
10
28.003
28.485
28.080
6
50.107
50.107


Swains Island
IOTA OC-200
Swains Island is an atoll in the Tokelau chain. Culturally a part of Tokelau, it is an unincorporated unorganized territory of the United States administered by American Samoa.  Swains Island has also been known at various times as Olosenga Island, Olohega Island, Quiros Island, Gente Hermosa Island, and Jennings Island.  Owned by the Jennings family and used as a copra plantation, Swains Island has a population of 37 Tokelauans, who harvest the island’s coconuts.
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