Press Release #10 from 3Y0J team – DXpedition to Bouvet Island, January 2023
In late April we successfully conducted a 4-day vessel inspection in Brazil that ended with a very good result. The inspection was carried out by a 3rd party vessel inspector and covered more than 105 checkpoints. The vessel inspection focused on safety equipment, instruments, navigation, engines/machinery, deck, tenders, fuel & fluids, interior, and exterior. Marama is in very good condition and hence the overall feedback is positive. The vessel went through significant upgrades with regards to machinery and engines in 2021 and has since been tested for years, most lately during the previous Antarctica season. The inspection file resulted in a punch list of only a few minor items to be followed up, no major findings during the 4-day inspection.
The team is currently working on the final preparations for packing the container scheduled to be shipped from Oslo in early September. Preparing the packing and shipping the container is extremely time consuming and requires a focus on details as our more than 2 years of work now is being materialized into packing lists and labeling the equipment. Today we have finally decided our container will be shipped to Port Stanley, Falkland Island. In Port Stanley a local team of ham radio operators will assist us in receiving the container, conduct a container inspection and make sure all is OK before the team arrive in early January. To Bouvet the team will bring with us 6500 kg of equipment, which includes several tons of fuel and food. Our contract allows for 22 days on the island, but we have food for 30 days and a plan for rationing should we have to stay beyond 22 days.
At this stage all the operators have already paid their full deposit of their individual $20,000 operator fee. This is your insurance that we will do whatever we can to make this DXpedition a success. In a few weeks we will pay our 2nd vessel deposit to Marama. Ultimately this represents a huge undertaking for us financially as well a commitment to go to Bouvet and activate the rare #2 DXCC Bouvet island. With all the preparation and planning over the course of the last two years you can rely on our commitment and our determination to go onshore Bouvet in a zodiac 7 months from now.
Going to Bouvet would simply not be possible without the support from the vendors, clubs, foundations, and individual sponsors. June 1st, we completed our budget update, and this shows we’re still missing roughly $100,000 out of our $690,000 budget to be able to go to Bouvet. As we now prepare for the next vessel deposit, we need your support to close the gap. Please consider supporting us by donating upfront.
You can follow our plans from our website and the 3Y0J Facebook page:
Thank you, Oslo 3rd June 2022
Ken Opskar LA7GIA, Co-Leader
Rune Oye LA7THA, Co-Leader
Erwann Merrien LB1QI, Co-Leader
Thanks Ken for the clarification – much appreciated
Paul – vk4ma
For the Bouvet operation there is not gonna be any FT8 robot machines running unattended – EACH FT8 QSO will be initiated by a human operator sitting at Cape Fie on Bouvet island. However, to minimize the downtime we will have one operator running several FT8 radios at the same time, so yes he will be sittting and clicking on each deserving call if that is 20m and 15m yagis at the same time, and when he is tired of clikcing, next operator will take his turn. This is the standard on DXpeditions already, one operator can easily run several FT8 machines in parallell.
This is also a DXpedition where we genuinely focus on HUMAN modes SSB/CW with 8 stations lined up, in addition to 4 FT8 stations. The 8 human mode stations will be manned at all times and these modes are the reason for us to spend $25,000 out of our own pockets to go to Bouvet. The skill of activating Bouvet is actually all the planning and getting there, bring the equipment onshore and setup the camp and keep it up for 3 weeks.
List of a few FT8 Robots can find here https://www.pa8s.nl/blog/qso-with-ft8-robots/
Hello Silviao
I am also confused. It would be great if Ken or Cezar could clarify whether FT8 qsos conducted in this manner will actually count for DXCC and / or IOTA.
Both Award programs appear to require “contemporaneous initiation” by a human operator which presumably means at least one human initiated mouse click per qso?
I fully support FT8 automation, but if Award committees keep making rules and only selectively applying them, they are opening themselves up to legal action challenging acceptance of qsos which do not actually comply with Award Rules.
Paul – vk4ma
FT8 machine and FT8 simultaneously means that a FT8 robot is running and the QSO doesn’t count for IOTA, right?
January, ouch… From here, above 61deg north, upper bands
are going to bee very difficult. Aurora time… Hopefully can
hear, missing one…
73 de Jarmo, OH1MRR
It’s a huge disappointment to read RA9USU is leaving. I really enjoyed every Pileup Dima handle, and can’t express enough my thanks for this outstanding low band operator. 73’s Dima we will miss you on this event
Pierre F4KMA , organisez une XP, je vous applaudirais, un système de QSL a été mise en place à chacun d’adéherer ou pas mas c’est à la liberter de chacun
ce n’est pas une raison pour polluer de commentaires négatifs
73’s Fab GYM
Good luck tu u guys . Hope all is going well and u be there soon .
Pierre F4KMA, when you go to the football match, theatee or any event, do you expect the actors to offer tou a free entrance ticket? And they have no such a life risk nor personal sacrifice the dxped team faces, plus their personal money they invest to offer you this rare QSL. So, please think it over andrefrain from sending offensive messages.
Radi f6gnz (no 73)
A shot in the arm! Somebody get word to Bezos on the difficulty level.
Well done guys! I don’t mind donating $U50, even though I don’t need Bouvet Island in CW or SSB. One of the many digital modes would be nice for me!
Good luck with your exciting endeavour!
73 Duncan ZL3JT
The hobby depends on financial support from Hams. Government grants us frequencies free or for a small fee. Rig manufacturers cannot be making much on Ham hobby, due to the low volumes. Money made in their other markets. Most accessories from small ‘hobby’ companies, likely not making much, if any, money. Key software, like WSJT-X is freeware. When we read comments here that Hams expect DXpeditions to design, print, and mail free QSL card, I have to worry that the entire hobby will fail at some point. Please refrain from demanding that everything be ‘free’. Contribute what you can or be quiet.
Why not to add the dx expedition to a scientific one and share costs?
All the very best for you
de IK8WJP
Zoran wa7aa – there are a couple of other boats at $1,000,000+ which is out of the travelers’/sponsors’/donors’ pay grade. I wish the amateur radio cmmunity could raise that kind of money but just not in the cards.
Why don’t we make things easier and go to ZS8 – Prince Edward & Marion ! ZS8 is a top ten all modes a 2nd sfter P5 in cw ! It will pretty much easier and coasts will drop for sure ! When the last cw operation to that rare but easy to reach DXCC entity ?
After 2 years off the roads due to COV-19 it could be a great alternative
Very good Job, Good Luck for this Great Dxpédition!
Thank toi very Much
73
I don’t get it… is Braveheart the only charter boat in the world? Why cancel the dxped at this time? Sure, the pandemic affected the entire global economy, but sooner or later markets and prices will stabilize and return to some semblance of normalcy.
..and what about the other expedition to 3Y0? Nothing new?
The two previous teams failed due to weather and mechanical issues.
It is not an easy task. 20USD is nothing compared to the amount we spend on our radios and antennae. Even if you build it yourself, it still costs money.
Looking forward to meet the team in Cape Town.
Great Team …..its unbelivabel what they risk and do for ouer Hobby..right its a Hobby,no buissnes so for those who dont like their rules just go your own way…wish you a great trip and stay safe
Thanks so much to try to enter this place and give out a new one to many Hams in the world…Great Job
Ken
Free QSL card in 10 years…. if not more !
If you cannot afford to go, don’t go….
You may ask for support, but don’t make it compulsory in order to get a QSL card….
We look forward. Good luck.
@ F4KMA & DK6AO: If you don’t like the QSL policy, you two make an expedition to Bouvet Island and send to QSL directly on your personal money. We will applaud you …
@Ken: from your website:
Upfront sponsors >= $50 Direct QSL + LoTW – timing according to sponsor level
OQRS Direct $20 – QSL cards including LoTW confirmation
Direct mailed cards with sufficient return postage, suggested donation $7 for unlimited QSOs*
OQRS Bureau $3 – QSL cards delayed at least 12 months*
I like to spend for you expedition!
Our QSL policy is clearly stated on our website. We offer FREE bureau cards, FREE LoTW and you can send your direct QSL card to Charles and include sufficient return postage, but no donation required. Hence, there are 3 ways to get a FREE confirmation without contributing a single dollar to the $760,000 expenses. Each operator is contributing MINIMUM $20,000 each, takes 7 weeks vacation, and goes on a difficult trip to the worlds most remote island – Bouvet. He also put himself at a financial risk of having to pay more than $20,000 to cover a shortfall of money at the DXped end. We’re not making this a business, our goal is not to reduce the operator fee below $20,000 but to secure it will not increase significantly above that. Every single dollar we receive in donation or OQRS is being spent towards our expenses, they are not going into our pockets.
I am absolutly agree with the comment of Pierre F4KMA.
I think it will not be an easy task, I wish my best wishes to the whole Team and I congratulate them for their courage. Personally I will be happy to pay the $ 20 required for the QSL and I am sorry not to have more resources for further help. It is a company that must be rewarded in all senses.
Felice, IZ8FFA
Hello all
The QSL policy shown on the DXpedition webpage is a disgrace to ham spirit
GOOD GOD ALMIGHTY, I REMEMBER THE LAST VENTURE TO BOUVET.
I FOLLOWED THAT DAY AND NIGHT.
WE WILL BE SURE TO KEEP ALL OF YOU IN OUR PRAYERS.
73 – K1LKP
Blessings to all involved and hoping the expedition keeps safe and is able to carry out its goals. Vy 73
Steve, VK6VZ
This is Great News!!
I am looking forward to this operation as I need Bouvet on CW!
All The Best of luck to the DXPedition Crew!!
73, Ted K2QMF
Wishing the best of conditions!
Wonderful—-Fingers crossed!!…K6MD