Very Rare VHF/UHF Grid to Activate in South Louisiana -- EL58

Courtesy of the Ohio/Penn DX Bulletin #907.

K5, UNITED STATES (6m/Grid/LH/USI Op). Members of the "EL58 Grid ActivationGroup" will be active as K5N between May 29-31st (1700-1700z). Activitywill be from the sandy beach facing the Gulf of Mexico in Grid SquareEL58hx, ARLHS USA 1101 under the "Visual Site Rule" and a New USI Island(USI LA105S - Burwood Island, LA) (South West Pass). The operation will be6 meters ONLY, consist of 2 stations with both SSB/CW, and M/S capability,two 6M5 antennas, and 6 operators. Power out will be approximately 200W.Operating frequencies are: 50.100/CW, 50.150/SSB and 50.315 Meteor Scatter.QSL via: Joey Fierro II, 1054 Cajun Ln, Magnolia, MS 39652. Operatorsmentioned are: Al/WA4EWV, Bill/K5YG, Bob/WN2E, Bruce/N5SIX, Daniel/KE5KDMand Danny/N5OMG.

Visit their Web pages at: http://www.kcvhfgridbandits.com/kc_vhf_grid_bandits_018.htmhttp://w4abc.com/K5N.html

And this note from Danny N5OMG, one of the gang heading to south Louisiana:

It is less than a week till our operation in EL58 and we have updated our website with some interesting items. Our video from the scouting trip and the info regarding the lighthouse and island we will be activating on HF has been updated. It should be very lively down there.

At this time, all transportation has been finalized, our group members are consolidating the items for departure, and our last few conference calls will be later this week to tie up any loose ends. Our internet should be ready when we get there, so we will be monitoring both pingjockey and packetcluster nodes.

Although our main focus, and reason for being there, will be 6 meters, look for K5N on the HF IOTA freqs.. and maybe guest appearances elsewhere??

For those who haven't yet seen the website: http://www.kcvhfgridbandits.com/kc_vhf_grid_bandits_018.htm

With our special thanks to JD-N0IRS for the work he put in to this project. Thanks to JD, our logo has been finalized as well, it is too cool...

If you haven't yet made a schedule for Meteor Scatter, please email Bruce for a time slot. Check the slots available at: http://www.ykc.com/wa5ufh/EL58/EL58hx.htm and send your requests to Bruce: n5six@bellsouth.net

If you have any questions or need info, our email address: k5n@bellsouth.net

73, and hope to work everyone from EL58

Danny-N5OMG

Willis Island Dxpedition Website

For those who will be keeping track of the WIllis island DXpedition, here is their website:

http://www.vk9dwx.de/index.php

Desecheo KP5----2009 (Press Release #1)

The Caribbean National Wildlife Refuge Complex has selected and announced a team of operators to activate Desecheo Island (KP5) sometime between January 15, 2009 and March 30, 2009. The Team will be co-led by Dr. Glenn Johnson, WØGJ and Bob Allphin, K4UEE.

Background: On June 30, 2008, the Caribbean National Wildlife Refuge office in Puerto Rico sent a letter to persons that had previously made inquiries about an Amateur Radio operation from Desecheo. They announced their decision to allow one group to activate the island and invited proposals that must adhere to strict guidelines and criteria. Applicant's had 45 days to prepare and submit their proposals.

CNWR received seven written proposals. A panel of three Fish and Wildlife Service employees, from areas within the Service outside of the Caribbean refuge, spent September 24 & 25 reviewing and evaluating the proposals. The selection criteria used were those outlined in the proposal invitation letter. Points were awarded for how well criteria were addressed for thoroughness and documentation.

The proposal with the highest ranking was submitted by team leaders Dr. Glenn Johnson, WØGJ, and Bob Allphin, K4UEE.

Their plan involves a team of fifteen operators for a 14-day operation. USFWS has not announced the actual dates of the operation yet, but the DXpedition is expected to take place between January 15, 2009 and March 30, 2009. A Special Use Permit (SUP) will be issued as per USFWS regulations. We expect that the DXpedition team and DXers worldwide will have a minimum of 30 days notice.

A website is being planned and will be announced in the near future.

Information via Ohio/Penn DX Special Bulletin No. 878.1. Thanks to the Northern Ohio Amateur Radio Society, Northern Ohio DX Association, Ohio/Penn PacketCluster Network, AB5K & the AR TelNet Clusters Network and K4UEE for the following DX information.