Future DXpeditions to ZL9 will not be possible under (as of 2016) Conservation Management Strategy for NZ Sub Antarctic islands. We (ZL9HR) submitted a detailed application for a permit to conduct a DXpedition to ZL9 in Dec 2022 or 2023.
Even though a permit was issued in 2012 for ZL9HR – under the new NZ Sub-Antarctic Islands 2016 conservation management strategy, radio operations involving erection of structures (antennas) / staying on the island to operate – these activities are no longer permitted.
In summary only research activities and day trip tourist activities are permitted.
73, John VK3YP
I would agree with the post of Zoran, WA7AA. However if this doesn’t work, maybe another trick would? Say – if they stay in the achored vessel or even a boat on the seashore and have their antennas installed on that boat – verts or wires on a fiberglass, say fishing poles, or even in the water nearby. If a “vessel anchored in the harbour” operation may conflict with DXCC or IOTA rules – then at least an operation from the boat, even an inflatable rubber one, or a dingny should not – as it’s already sits on the shore,i.e. – on the island’s land. But even if they ( DXCC/IOTA) are not satisfied with the fact that the equipment was in the boat, no one prevents expeditioners from placing it on the table next to it, hihi !
But if all kinds of ham radio operations from the country is no more aloud on a permanet basis, and a special temporary license can not be issued as well – it is logically to consider that such a country has to be deleted from a DXCC list. Is anyone aware what ARRL or IOTA says of that ?
I’m not speaking of the ones which are temporarily unavailable by political or military reasons – i.e. P5 EZ YK etc. as well as USFWS restricted access areas, i.e. KH1 3 5 7. The permission to QRV from there is a matter of time or sussessful negotiations by the project management.
Thanks for reading this and best 73’s !
Dima, UA3AGW
Don’t forget that the majority of the dxpeditioners volunteer and clean up rubbish that migrated there.
Perhaps some future DXpeditions will require anchoring on a boat offshore as well as a rule change.
These “do-gooding” conservationist types are doing more harm than good. All they see is ham radio enthusiasts coming along with poles, wires, masts, generators and fuel and think we are all going to set fire to the place. Do they not realise ham radio ops pride themselves on the “no footprints left” policy?..
Since this is turning from a fad to a trend, any future dx-peds might have to scale down and rely on a subjective interpretation of the rules. Get a permit for a day trip tourist activity, don’t “erect” an antenna, and sleep on the boat to avoid “staying on the island”. Form a legitimate non-profit organization researching the effects of radio waves on the reproduction cycle of the spotted angler fish and red beaked puffins, or something.
These policies make as much sense as denying permits to KP1 while foreign nationals stay on that rock any time they want without any repercussions.
Green tape another idiot decision
Another idiot decision by so-called conservationists 🙁
73 de Chris G3SJH