Hi All,
This is the first of a series of news announcements of a dxpedition to
Ynys Mon (EU124) for the IOTA 1997 contest. Further news announcements
will be issued as further details are confirmed.
Members of the well known GM CQWW SSB multi-multi contest team GM6V have
confirmed their intention to join with friends resident on Ynys Mon
(Island of Anglesey) EU124, including myself GW0GEI, to compete in IOTA
97. The GM operators confirmed so far include 20m pile up cruncher
Chris, GM3WOJ, and the mult specialist from GM6V, Jim GM0NAI.
The intention is to make this event a MAJOR activation weekend from
EU124, and we will be very LOUD!!! We aim to give EU124 to as many
people as possible worldwide on 80-10m. We will QSL 100% anyone who
works us in the contest.
Ynys Mon is a small island off the north west coast of Wales, about
100sq miles in area and a population of just over 70K. 80% of the
population speak the Welsh language, and since this includes myself, we
will welcome qsos in Welsh from long lost friends in the Welsh speaking
former colonies in Patagonia. (Dan ni'n croesawi sgwrs yng Nhymraeg efo
frindiau dros y byd, yn enwendig os dach chi'n byw ar unrhyw ynys
arbennig! :) )
Although there are a number of radio amateurs on the island, very few
have decent antenna systems due to the high winds experienced here in
winter. (I had to repair my 2 ele Gem Quad twice this last weekend in
ARRL DX SSB!!). In July the wx is (usually!) quieter, and we plan to
have a large antenna farm erected in the three days prior to the
contest.
The contest site
The contest site will be located in one of two possible locations. One
is a 27 acre site in the north of the island, and the other is a smaller
site in the middle of the island.
The towers
There are already two towers up at one of the sites, but we have already
arranged to borrow several other mobile towers and portable masts.
The antennas
It is planned to run mono banders on the higher bands (optimised hygain
yagis), plus a TH7, quad and/or a Force 12 C4XL as mult station
antennas. On the low bands there will be verticals, delta loops, and
dipoles on the mult station. On the run station we plan to have a 2 ele
Cushcraft or 3 ele KLM for 40m @ 110ft, and a wire log periodic or other
large wire array on 80m.
The station
There will be a minimum of three operating setups for tx, consisting of
2 x Ts950s and a TS850sat, coupled to 2 X Alphas and a TL922.
Logging
We are currently testing various software packages, and these include a
home brew effort being developed by a local system analyst, which
promises to provide a stable network environment and some additional
software tools.(This latter package may be marketed commercially once it
has proven itself in battle!)
Propogation Database
If there are any stations worldwide who desperately need IOTA EU124
confirmed they are welcome to email me for inclusion on our internet
mailing list. Suggested best propogation times information will be
welcomed and will be processed within our propogation database in order
to help plan our bands strategy. Our preferred operating frequencies
will be announced prior to the contest.
The Callsign- GW7V - Golf Wiskey Seven Victor
It is planned to utilise the GM7V groups special one letter callsign,
with the emphasis on the V for Victory :) This will become GW7V from
EU124. (subject to licensing confirmation).
QSL Information
Qsls will be sent via the buro to all stations worked in the contest.
Direct qsls can be sent to me at the following address:
Steve Jones, Bron Heulog, Rhostrehwfa, Llangefni, Ynys Mon, LL77 7AJ
Wales U.K.
Direct qsl requests should include a self addressed envelope and
sufficient return postage/dollrs.
If you require any information about our contest plans please email me
direct. 73 es hpe cu in IOTA 97 from EU124.
Steve GW0GEI
(Sent on behalf of GW7V IOTA 97 contest team)
--
Steve Jones
GW0GEI in IO73TG, IOTA EU124
Ynys Mon / Island of Anglesey
Gogledd Cymru / North Wales
UK 6M Group Member 295
DX CLUSTER GB7ADX
--
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