QST:
VU2RBI, Bharathi Prasad, has appealed to VU2SON for help in getting permission to do a legal operation on VU4. She has asked for a month-long operating permission this December. Only native citizens of India are allowed to operate. Bharathi and her family are of modest means. She does not have any money of her own to invest in this DXpedition. India culture indicates a proper married woman only travel with her husband, VU2DBP. She led the 1978 DXpedition to VU4.
Please do not complicate matters by now making your own request to op. on VU4. Please allow Bharathi to work her magic for now. In a year, if we all behave and have patience, Andaman could be much more open to ham radio visits or an on-going presence.
The DX community needs to understand that this VU4 DXpedition is likely to start as a "mighty lite" for the reasons cited above. This is a PILOT project to prove ham radio is harmless on VU4. That is the immediate goal. Later, we hope to establish a long-term ham radio presence at a school in Port Blair. This effort will NOT be a mass arrival of crack operators with tons of gear. We appeal to the generousity, understanding, and patience of the world wide DX community. Please remember this is AMATEUR radio in a Developing Nation, and please give Bharathi's effort your patient support for this evolving project.
Personally, I know how important a contact with VU4 is. The pent-up demand is huge. However, I appeal to all DXers to realize the delicate nature of getting permission, of quickly mounting this pilot effort, and of finding funds now. In American slang, "please cut some slack" to this project and know that Bharathi and I are in this for the long haul so that ham radio can later establish a continuing presence there to answer the needs for all bands and all modes.
ALL donations will be promptly refunded should this effort not go as announced. QSL card requests will go to a USA address for mail security.
Please consider a donation via USA check or international money order or equivalent to:
Charles Harpole 3100 N. Hwy. 426 Geneva, FL 32732-9761 USA
An excited 73 to all,
Charles Harpole, K4VUD and VU3CHE (also 9N7UD and HS0ZCW) [EMAIL PROTECTED]
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