*Update* Sponsors for 197DA/0 (23/02/10)

December 31, 2009 by Darren 

Thanks SponsorsAs most people will appreciate, DXpedition operations is an expensive past time but is done for the betterment of the 11m Community as a whole.  Donations for the 197DA/0 activity, therefore, are most welcome and will contribute towards costs, including a special QSL card, as well as reducing the carbon footprint created by this DXpedition experience, in accordance with DA-RC’s Carbon Emissions Offset Program (See http://www.delta-alfa.com/da-rc-projects-2/carbon-emission-offset-program/ ). 

Donations can be made online via Paypal to darren43da001@yahoo.com or via the OC HQ at PO Box 3140, Browns Plains LPO,  QLD, Australia, 4118.  All sponsors (name and callsign) will be listed on the QSL card :-)

List of sponsors so far…

  • 43WR137 Dan, World Radio Club
  • 43DA180 Peter, Dx Adventure Radio Club (DA-RC)
  • 41DA105 Brian, Dx Adventure Radio Club (DA-RC)
  • 43DA050 Geoff, Dx Adventure Radio Club (DA-RC)
  • 43DA162 Brett, Dx Adventure Radio Club (DA-RC)
  • 14SD051 Chris, Sugar Delta DX Group
  • 13LD001 Marc, Lima Delta DX Group
  • 14DA161 Dorota, Dx Adventure Radio Club (DA-RC)
  • 14DA058 John, Dx Adventure Radio Club (DA-RC)
  • 13DA007 Simon, Dx Adventure Radio Club (DA-RC)
  • 14DA028 Phil, Dx Adventure Radio Club (DA-RC)
  • 14DA024 Fabrice, Dx Adventure Radio Club (DA-RC)
  • 14DA911 Eric, Dx Adventure Radio Club (DA-RC)
  • 14DA115 Muriel, Dx Adventure Radio Club (DA-RC)
  • 43DA021 Brian, Dx Adventure Radio Club (DA-RC)
  • 14DA017 Regis, Dx Adventure Radio Club (DA-RC)
  • 43DA007 Mike, Dx Adventure Radio Club (DA-RC)
  • 172DA010 Kevin, Dx Adventure Radio Club (DA-RC)
  • 172AT101 Philippe, Dx Adventure Radio Club (DA-RC)
  • 1AT325 Marcello, Alfa Tango DX Group

On behalf of 43DA234 Tom and myself (43DA001), thank you guys for your kind and generous support!

Welcome to 79DA430 Percival

December 30, 2009 by Darren 

79DA430 PercivalDA-RC’s newest member from the Visayan Islands group in south-east Asia is 79DA430 Percival.  Percival’s home QTH in the south-western Pacific Ocean area is Negros Island (OC-129) which is the third largest island in the whole of the Philippines.

79DA430 Percival’s island is possibly one of the most appealing for holiday-makers of 79 Division’s 7107 islands with fantastic beach resorts, caves, whale and dolphin watching in Bais bay, mountain and volcanic scenery, and the colorful Sinulog festival.

A current member of the Propagation Studies Committee (Ham Club), 79DA430 Percival is a dedicated radio communications hobbyist on all bands and has worked over 300 DXCC.  He qualifies for DA-RC membership then in the DX Hunter Classification.

Negros MapPercival’s station for eleven meters consists of a Kenwood TS-430S, a Yaesu FT-747GX, an RCI-2970, a EURO 3900 and a stringer antenna.

In agreement with the Radio Society of Great Britain’s IOTA program, Percival’s island falls under the OC-129 reference number and is part of the Visayan Islands group with a quantity of other islands — some of which include Panay, Batag, Boracay and Mahanay.

When he’s not behind the microphone of his Kenwood TS-430S in the comfort of his radio shack, the club’s latest affiliate form Asia  enjoys hunting ducks, doves and wading birds for food, reading the bible, watching television shows and movies and listening to music.  His favourite music genres in fact are rock, pop, jazz and love songs.  Percival is also a follower of sports and balances his employment as a Government Official with the Department of Education, as well as an electrician, with refereeing in the local men’s basketball competition!

Like other Dx Adventure Radio Club members in 79 Division, Percival’s contribution to his local community is immense.  In addition to his involvement with Scan and Guardian International, Percival works with the 603rd Squadron in the Philippine Coast Guard — a volunteer organisation which conducts emergency simulation exercises and offer training on first aid, CPR, water safety, swimming, fire fighting and technical rescue.

“Because of its location on the western side of the Philippines,” says Percival, “my island doesn’t usually get hit with typhoons that slam the eastern side of the Philippines…but we must be prepared for an emergency…”

Negros SeasunsetOn behalf of the World Headquarters Team and all the members, welcome to the Club 79DA430 Percival.  We expect you’ll like your new Delta-Alfa callsign and look forward to several contacts with you on 11m in the coming years from your exquisite island home.

*Log Update* 43DA/SA South Australia

December 24, 2009 by Darren 

PROG TX
DATE
GMT
CALLSIGN
NAME
FREQ (MHz)
MODE
RST
001
08/11/09
07:25
43DA162
Brett
27.570
USB
5-7
002
10/11/09
07:45
43SD280
Jordan
27.580
USB
5-5
003
10/11/09
07:56
43DA234
Thomas
27.545
USB
5-5
004
10/11/09
07:58
43DA050
Geoff
27.540
USB
5-9
005
13/11/09
09:10
47PL122
Arne
27.580
USB
4-2
006
13/11/09
09:35
113MB190
Arie
27.580
USB
5-9
007
15/11/09
04:52
101AT170
Andy
27.540
USB
5-9
008
18/11/09
09:08
153RT226
Dender
27.585
USB
5-9
009
19/11/09
09:25
26AT030
Mike
27.590
USB
5-5
010
20/11/09
09:14
16ON021
Ronny
27.590
USB
5-7
011
20/11/09
09:17
14FR062
Jean Claude
27.570
USB
5-9
012
20/11/09
09:20
13DB
Peter
27.570
USB
4-1
013
20/11/09
09:24
14ZK020
Raymond
27.570
USB
5-5
014
20/11/09
09:30
14DT337
Eric
27.570
USB
5-3
015
20/11/09
09:35
43WA44
Bob
27.570
USB
5-3
016
20/11/09
09:55
68TL001
Roger
27.575
USB
4-1
017
20/11/09
10:18
14RI040
Chris
27.570
USB
5-7
018
20/11/09
10:20
14RC095
Daniel
27.570
USB
5-2
019
21/11/09
09:28
19TWX001
Tjebba
27.570
USB
5-7
020
21/11/09
11:16
35AT160
Peter
27.570
USB
5-9
021
23/11/09
09:55
94AR121
Abdrahman
27.570
USB
5-9
022
24/11/09
1155
43DA225
Frank
27.570
USB
5-9
023
26/11/09
0250
320DA011
Karl
27.405
USB
5-1
024
26/11/09
0945
14SD049
Chris
27.580
USB
5-1
025
29/11/09
0906
43DA180
Peter
27.530
USB
5-9
026
30/11/09
0905
43IR200
Russ
27.570
USB
5-9
027
06/12/09
0745
14DA049
Fred
27.570
USB
4-1
028
06/12/09
0750
14RD052
27.570
USB
4-1
029
06/12/09
0752
14TB001
Bruno
27.570
USB
4-1
030
06/12/09
0803
14AT140
Jan
27.570
USB
5-5
031
08/12/09
0915
30WO1630
Dave
27.570
USB
5-3
032
08/12/09
0935
30AT404
Manuel
27.570
USB
3-1
033
10/12/09
0754
41RB198
Noel
27.570
USB
5-5
034
11/12/09
1303
41DT001
John
27.570
USB
5-5
035
13/12/09
0015
172AT101
Philippe
27.520
USB
5-2
036
13/12/09
0040
41DA105 Brian
Brian
27.570
USB
5-3
037
13/12/09
0458
43DA007 (43DA/VIC) # 015
Michael
27.540
USB
5-9
038
13/12/09
0732
1?????
Net
27.570
USB
5-1
039
13/12/09
0735
13DK007
Hans
27.570
USB
4-1
040
13/12/09
0745
153LR104
Jimmy
27.570
USB
4-1
041
13/12/09
0802
14AT069
Jean Louis
27.580
USB
4-1
042
13/12/09
0857
1SD224
Alberto
27.570
USB
5-7
043
13/12/09
0902
153SD010
Nathan
27.570
USB
4-1
044
13/12/09
0919
29WW787
Justin
27.540
USB
5-5
045
13/12/09
0925
30DA016
Dave
27.540
USB
3-1

*New* Kenwood HF Rig Unveiled

December 21, 2009 by Darren 

Kenwood NewsAt the Tokyo Ham Fair in August earlier this year, KENWOOD dropped a bombshell when it unveiled a new compact HF + 6m transceiver which they say will be available for cashed up hams in 2010.

For KENWOOD fans who’ve settled for obsolete technology for almost a decade while companies such as ICOM and Yaesu have put smiles on the faces of their radio hobby mates with a range of jaw-dropping new rigs, this is fantastic news!

My best info about KENWOOD’s HF radio plans is that next year (probably at Dayton 2010) they’ll unleash a new mid-priced radio (about 2000€) to replace the TS-570 series.  “Let’s just hope it’s got a bit of the TS-950 in it though to jazz up the flat bits!” I hear someone shouting from the shack.

the new KenwoodAfter that, I’ve also heard that they’ll start designing a new flag-ship, high-end HF + 6m radio (about 4000/5000€) to rival the Yaesu rigs which could hit the shelves as early as 2011.  For KENWOOD fans, in my opinion, this should be the one worth hanging out for!  Providing you’ve got a spare $15—$20,000AUS that is or are prepared to divorce the YL.

By all reports, the new HF + 6 m transceiver by KENWOOD incorporates the latest advancements in HF radio design, developed, like I said before, from the previous TS-570D (G) models.

The latest goss indicates these strengths:

  • Kenwood Panel-1A mid-class transceiver with new operator-engineered features
  • New menu to user feature
  • New IF DSP with selection of Hi/Low cut DSP slope tune and VBT (Variable Band Tuning) that alters passband width, for rejection of nearby signals
  • A front panel with a new design with new style for the knobs and buttons

Why Wait for 010/11?

These days, there are only 3 radios to choose from if you’re a KENWOOD buff — the TS-480, TS-2000 and/or TS-480HX.  And that must be bloody frustrating given the stuff on the market from other companies!

Kenwood Panel 2KENWOOD’s TS-2000, while a terrific radio, has been out on the radio comms market for some time now and is slipping in technology.  Also, the 480 rigs are outstanding portable rigs but as a base they come up shorter than a white man playing NBL.

So why wait for something that hasn’t even been named yet?  A short answer to that is that you’ve waited for 10 years so another 6—12 months isn’t going to kill you is it?!?!?!?!

In conclusion, I’m glad to see that KENWOOD is staying in the HF field to challenge the market again as there were rumours they were backing out of amateur radio all together.  And like them or not, a good HF KENWOOD rig on the market means a healthy hobby for all — just as a winning Man U team means a healthy European Soccer League.

kenwoodlogoIt will be interesting to see what the final features, performance and price of this you-beaut new rig will be though, especially in light of ICOM’s announcement of the soon to be released IC-9100 which appears to be a competitor to the old TS-2000/X.

I guess we’ll have to just wait and see!

Welcome to 79DA735 Dulcisimo

December 20, 2009 by Darren 

79DA735 DulcisimoThe Dx Adventure Radio Club (DA-RC) is pleased to introduce to you our second member in the Philippines…79DA735 Mr Dulcisimo.

Formerly known as 79DCJ964, Dulcisimo’s QTH is the province of Negros Oriental which is located in the Central Visayas region.  This province occupies the south-eastern half of the camera-friendly island of Negros, with Negros Occidental comprising the north-western half.  Negros Island is the fourth largest island in 79 Division.

In accordance with the Radio Society of Great Britain’s IOTA program, Dulcisimo’s island shares the OC-129 reference number with a number of other islands in the Visayan Islands group — some of which include Batag, Boracay, Mahanay and Panay.

Dulcisimo79DA735 Dulcisimo’s island shack consists of an ICOM IC-735, Kenwood TS-430S and Ranger AR-3500, RCI2970 transceivers.  He also uses a Zebra ZR-3502 AMP, TX-JN 30 AMP and a vertical antenna mounted above a quarter wave length wire for 11m erected between two coconut palms.

Away from the radio communications hobby in which he is also a fully licensed ham radio operator, the 45 year old is a keen hunter with game birds being his prime target.  He also enjoys cycling, playing basketball, reading, listening to rock music and rock ballads, and spending quality family time with his wife and 2 children.

Dulcisimo’s job on Negros Island is an important one.  He is employed with the Philippine National Police in law enforcement after completing his education and a degree at VCS, St. Francis, Central Negros College.

SCAN InternationalAnother of Dulcisimo’s important community roles is with the Society of Communicators and Networkers (SCAN) International.  SCAN International is a ham radio focussed organisation which provides communications, disaster preparedness and emergency response during times of natural disaster (e.g. floods, volcanic eruptions, etc.), and information technology services to all residents of the Philippines.

Welcome to the 79 Div DA-RC Team, Dulcisimo.  It’s terrific having you on board with the Club!

Welcome to 79DA101 Jeru

December 18, 2009 by Darren 

Flag of the PhilippinesThe Dx Adventure Radio Club (DA-RC) is excited to introduce its newest member from the South East Asia and Western Pacific Ocean region…79DA101 Jerusalem (Jeru).

Previously identified as 79RPO101, Jeru is a past member of the Romeo Papa DX Group centred in Italy and complies with the DX Hunter requirements of more than 50 DXCC worked and confirmed for DA-RC membership.  (See http://www.delta-alfa.com/about/become-a-member/ ).

Sunset on NegrosJeru also comes highly recommended by Queensland DXers 43DA020 Geoff and his wife 43DA1210 Anna, herself a native from the Philippines, whom have developed a good friendship with him thanks to numerous radio contacts in the last few months.

The Republic of the Philippines’ loudest and most active eleven meter band DXer in recent times largely due to his cubical quad antenna, 79DA101 Jeru lives on the picturesque tropical island of Negros in the Visayas Archipelago in the Oriental Province.  On the word of the Islands Data Base Online, prior to his arrival on the eleven meter band scene, this small island has never been activated before on the Freeband.

Local busOf 79 Division’s 7107 islands, Negros is possibly one of the most captivating for tourists with active volcanoes, stunning beaches, beautiful freshwater waterfalls, fascinating Spanish culture, colourful festivals and friendly Negrense people.

As well as cattle ranches, fishing and fish farming, Jeru’s island is also noted for being the country’s prime producer of sugar with sugar cane plantations abound in the agricultural areas of the island.  According to our first 79 Division member, “Rice, coconut, and corn are other products that are grown in the province…”

Jeru with friendsIn keeping with the Radio Society of Great Britain’s IOTA program, Jeru’s island falls under the OC-129 reference number and is part of the Visayan Islands group with a number of other islands — some of which include Batag, Boracay, Mahanay and Panay.

Like most DA-RC members, Jeru possesses a love of the outdoors.  He is a keen soccer player and also enjoys spending time on the beach with his wife and three young children.  For relaxation, Jeru enjoys putting his feet up in a hammock between two coconut palms and reading books.

79DA101 JeruFor employment, Jeru works as an electrician and transmission and distribution lineman.

“I am very happy and very excited to become a member of your radio club DA-RC,” explains Jeru.  “Not only me, but also my radio friends in 79…”

Already in fact, 79DA101 Jeru has commenced forming a DXpedition team comprising local hams and eleven meter band radio operators to undertake an IOTA Tour of other 79 Division Islands.  On this notJeru with Familye, don’t be surprised to see a few more members in the ranks of DA-RC from the Philippines in the coming weeks!

On behalf of the World Headquarters Team and all the members, welcome to the Club 79DA101 Jeru.  We hope you enjoy your new Delta-Alfa callsign and look forward to many contacts with you on 11m in the future.

Welcome to 136DA110 Cédrick

December 12, 2009 by Darren 

136DA110The DA-RC is excited to announce that we now have a second member on the tiny Caribbean isle of Martinique…136DA110 Cédrick.

Referenced as NA-107 in accordance with the Radio Society of Great Britain’s IOTA Program, Cédrick’s beautiful island is located in the eastern Caribbean Sea and is an overseas department of France.

One of the most distinguished eleven meter band DXers inhabiting the island and also one of the most qualified courtesy of a hobby career spanning some 18 years, 136DA110 Cédrick is a previous 16 year associate of the Sugar Delta DX Group (136SD110 & 14SD636), experienced in the realm of Special Event (SES) and IOTA activities and a keen participant in competitive DX contest events.

MartiniqueOn the island itself, Cédrick hails from the Riviere-Pilote city in the island’s south west.  Rivière-Pilote is a commune in the French overseas department with Cedrick’s village situated on the southern end of the island, between the village of Sainte-Luce and the town of Le Marin which is a popular haven for yachts.

Occasionally though, Cédrick jets back to France where he resides in Department 75 and transmits on the radio from the nation’s capital city Paris.

When he’s not glued to the microphone of his IC-7000 by ICOM transceiver in either country, DA-RC’s newest member from the West Indies enjoys chilling out to Brazilian music, surfing the internet and gaming.

Martinique BoatsIn addition to HF DXing where he has forged a reputation as a capable DX Hunter, 136DA110 Cédrick is also a keen Short Wave Listener (SWL) and is officially licenced as F-20272.  No doubt then that he’ll be able to make some fine contributions to DA-RC’s own SWL Program (See http://www.delta-alfa.com/swl-world/ )

On behalf of everyone, including the World HQ Team, welcome to the Dx Adventure Radio Club, 136DA110 Cédrick.  It’s terrific having you as part of the DA-RC Group and we look forward to working your island station soon.

Welcome to 26DA037 Kevin

December 12, 2009 by Darren 

Buxton Opera-HouseThe Dx Adventure Radio Club is pleased to introduce the latest recipient of a Delta-Alfa callsign…26DA037 Kevin.

Kevin’s home QTH is the English county of Nottinghamshire in the East Midlands where he resides in a small market town on the eastern edge of the Erewash Valley…by all reports a stunning DXstination!

A former member of the Alfa Tango and Delta Tango DX groups respectively (26AT101 & 26DT925), Kevin is one of England’s most distinguished and esteemed HF DXers with a host of impressive experiences in the hobby under his belt.

Nottingham Forest F.C.Starting out in the radio communications hobby some 33 years ago, for instance, DA-RC’s latest member from the United Kingdom is a veteran eleven meter operative who joins the club via the DX Hunter Classification with well over 100 DXCC worked and confirmed to his name.

“I’ve been an active operator since 1976,” explains Kev.  “I started in the early days with a 40 channel AM set talking to State Side with a DV-27 on a biscuit tin.  My first ssb radio was a Cobra 148 GTL DX which I used with a 3 element beam antenna…”

FishingWhen he’s not behind the microphone of his Yaesu FT-1000 MP transceiver working DX and collecting colourful QSL cards from all corners of the globe courtesy of his high performing 4 element yagi, Kevin enjoys spending time with his family and watching football.

Like many DA-RC members, one of 26DA037 Kevin’s favourite pastimes is also fishing. Salmon, trout, carp, tench, bream, rudd, roach, perch, pike, chub and eels are all on Kevin’s fish hit list when he travels to places like Sutton Lawns Dam and the Kingsmill Reservoir with a rod and reel in hand.

elogio-del-horizonteOn behalf of the World HQ Team and all members, welcome to the club, Kevin.  We are sure you’ll have many great experiences and make many long-lasting friendships within the DA-RC family.

Welcome to 224DA103 Burineita

December 11, 2009 by Darren 

Village Chief Hut on Tab-NorthThe Dx Adventure Radio Club’s most recent member from the Northern Pacific Ocean’s Gilbert Islands chain (formerly Kingsmill Islands) is 224DA103 Burineita.

A regular in the logs of Oceania Contesters and an annual participant in the Kiribati Anniversary Contest, Burineita lives on the North Tabiteuea islet (1° 24′ 0″ North, 173° 6′ 0″ East) 400km from Tarawa and is one of Western Kiribati’s most active and enduring 27 MHz radio operators.

Road on Tab-NorthHere, he is a long time resident of the Tekaman Village and the local protestant church community, among a population of 3,600 distributed among 12 villages (capital Utiroa) which inhabit the 26 km² Islet.

When he’s not communicating with friends on other small islands in the Pacific Ocean area or attending the islet’s Rainbow Church, 224DA103 Burineita is employed as a Solar Energy specialist with the Kiribati Solar Energy Company (KSEC), a job which sees him entrusted with overseeing all solar energy systems on both Tabiteuea North (Meang) and Tabiteuea South (Maiaki) islets, as well as maintaining renewable energy Systems in the whole of Kiribati.

Tab-North WharfOne of Burineita’s main responsibilities, furthermore, is contributing towards the Pacific Islands Greenhouse Gas Abatement through Renewable Energy Project.

In his leisure time on OC-017’s largest island, Burineita enjoys swimming in the super-turquoise waters and playing basketball and volleyball with hand woven nets made from coconut fiber rope in the shade of the islet’s leafy villages, away from the draining tropical heat.  His passion though is football in his soccer-mad country in which the round ball game is his country’s national sport.

As a port for potential DXpedition adventure, there is one airport on Tab-North which takes flights from Air Kiribati from Tarawa, the nation’s island capital.  According to Burineita, “Ships can also enter the lagoon but can not come too close in shore…”

“North Tabiteuea is also the refuelling point for Air Kiribati ‘long haul’ flights to the Southern Gilberts,” says DA-RC’s newest member in 224 Division. “This means that there are many planes through each week going southwards to Tabiteuea South, Onotoa, Beru, Nikunau, Tamana and Arorae…”

Tab-North VillageOn behalf of the DA-RC membership body, welcome to the 224 Division Team, 224DA103 Mr Burineita.  We look forward to working your tiny islet in the future under the Delta-Alfa banner.

Welcome to 30DA016 Dave

December 10, 2009 by Darren 

Skiing in the Sierra NevadaThe Dx Adventure Radio Club’s most up-to-date affiliate from south-western Europe is 30DA016 Dave who CQ’s from the Kingdom of Spain on the Iberian Peninsula.

An experienced SOTA field operative and one of his country’s most popular eleven meter band DXers, Dave’s QTH in 30 Division is Mutxamel — a municipality in the comarca of Alacantí, Alicante, Valencian Community.

History tells that DA-RC’s newest member was raised in the Netherlands (19 Division) in a small village near Den Bosch.  Here he achieved the DX Hunter requirements for DA-RC membership as a former member of the Romeo Bravo and Yankee II DX Groups and also via a current membership with the Whisky Oscar DX group (30WO1630).

Sailing the MediterraneanAccording to his membership form, Dave started his DX career 31 years ago and after a self-imposed hiatus is now eager to add to his tally of DXCC via his Jopix Itaca (aka Magnum 257) and a 3 element Yagi short beam antenna which he installed last weekend on the roof of his house.

Away from the radio communications hobby in which he partakes with renewed gusto, 30DA016 Dave is a dedicated family man with a wife and 2 children.  His interests also include sailing, water skiing, skiing and motor trips through the Spanish Mountains.  Remarkably, Dave also speaks Dutch, English, German and Spanish!

Solar panelsIn addition to being bilingual and having a love of the outdoors, one of Dave’s areas of expertise is Solar PV (Photovoltaic) installation.  This will ensure he is an immense source of knowledge for those DXpeditioners participating in DA-RC’s Carbon Emissions Offset Program (See  http://www.delta-alfa.com/da-rc-projects-2/carbon-emission-offset-program/ ) in the future, as well as Project Manager and fellow ‘green guru’ 23DA330 Jeremy.

On an HD through the USAFor those members who don’t know, PV cells or solar power panels are used to harness energy from the sun and are sometimes used on ham radio DXpeditions to convert the suns rays into an electrical current to power rigs.

“One of the great things about solar technology,” says Dave, “is that it doesn’t release any greenhouse gases into our atmosphere…”

“In total 52kWp panels are on top of rooves here in Alicante.  If a radio uses about 75W per hour for 3 hours a day, 200 days per year; roughly 45kWh per year is needed and that means more then 1300 CB radios could work on this green energy source…”

As most members will appreciate, not only does Dave’s work allow us the opportunity to have a cleaner environment, but it also allows us to become less dependent on the ever decreasing levels of fossil fuels.

Yagi 3Since joining his new Club, 30DA016 Dave already has his sights set on some IOTA work from the small island of Tabarca in the Alicante/Murcia Province group which is referenced as EU-093 in accordance with the Radio Society of Great Britain’s Islands On the Air (IOTA) program.  Whether or not he utilises his green energy prowess is anyone’s guess!

On behalf of everyone associated with DARC, welcome to the Club 30DA016 Dave.  It’s great having you as part of the team!