[RTTY] 7P8 Lesotho DXpedition

[Jim Reisert AD1C]

Date: Mon, 14 Apr 2003 22:53:51 -0500
From: Tom Anderson <ww5l at gte.net>
Reply-To: ww5l at gte.net
To: k1ro at arrl.org
CC: ww5l at gte.net
Subject: Re: [DX-NEWS] 7P8 Lesotho DXpedition

	A fifth operator has joined July's week-long 7P8 Lesotho DXpedition
that will give the group an added plus in digital mode operation,
DXpedition chief operator Charles Frost, K5LBU/7P8CF.
	The newest operator to join the group is Dave Anderson, K4SV, a veteran
of many world-class DXpeditions and a world class RTTY and digital modes
operator.
	Dave Anderson of Ashville NC, whose 7P8 call is expected to be 7P8DA,
joins Frost,  Madison Jones, W5MJ/7P8MJ; Neil King VA7DX/7P8NK; and Tom
Anderson WW5L/7P8TA, on the all modes, all band team July 18-25 from
Mohale's Hoek, Lesotho.  "Dave gives us some added strength on the
digital modes," said Frost, adding that a recent RTTY survey showed
Lesotho was the 89th most wanted RTTY country.  On the recent 425 News
DX survey 7P8 was ranked 75th in most needed, up some 24 spots from
2002.  Among USA ham it is ranked 60th and 89th among European hams.
	"Dave may even do some slow scan TV," said Frost, nothing there has
been some interest expressed in that additional mode.
	The newest team member has the following calls or been a DXpedition
member of the A50A and A52A Bhutan, VP5/KW4DA,Turks & Caicos 2000 & 2003
operations, T2DA Tuvalu, 3D2CW Fiji, K1B Baker Island, and ZL7C Chatham
Islands.  He has 303 DXCC countries confirmed and 314 worked.  Dave
Anderson also has written articles for DX Magazine on operations from
Bhutan, Baker Island, and Chatham Island.
	He is a member of the Northern California DX Foundation, ARRL, Blue
Ridge Amateur Radio Club, Kansas City DX Club, and the Western Carolina
Amateur Radio Society.
          The 7P8 operation will be an all mode, all band operation. "We
hope
to have at least one station on the air 24 hours a day," said Frost,
of Missouri City TX, vice-president of the Texas DX Society, which is
coordinating the DXpedition along with the Lone Star DX Association.
"Two of our operators are excellent SSB operators and the other three
are
specialists in CW and the digital modes," he added. Jones is president
of the TDXS, while Tom Anderson is vice-president and information
director of the Lone Star DX Association.
	  Operations will be will be at the Hotel Mount Maluti
http://www.seelesotho.com/mountmaluti.htm near Mohale's Hoek (30.16 S
and 27.48 E).  Equipment includes Tribanders for 10-15-20, a 2 element
WARC Band antenna, a Tennadyne donated T-6 LPG, and Alpha Delta
40/80/160 dipoles. Kenwood TS850S, ICOM 706MKIIg and 756 PRO, plus 600
and 1 KW amps. Most of the equipment is already in country.
           QSLs will be handled by each operator separately via their
home calls as each will have their own 7P8 call.
        Andre van Wyck, ZS6WPX, is the on-scene coordinator of the
  DXpedition.
	For additional information contact Frost at frosty1 at pdq.net or Tom
Anderson at WW5L at gte.net.