IOTA OC-220 SOUTH AUSTRALIA STATE WEST GROUP ST PETER ISLAND, NUYTS ARCHIPELAGO
Taken from www.qrz.com/vi5pn
The operators who activated OC-251 September 2002, OC-261 April 2003 and OC-228 April 2004 plan to activate OC-220, South Australia West group, St Peter Island, Nuyts Archipelago the second weekend in April, commencing early Thursday April 7th and concluding Monday April 11th April 2100z.
This will be a special event, commemorating the 350th Anniversary of the death of Pieter Nuyts, the Dutch East India Company man and sometime explorer, who died in 1655.
St Peter Island and Nuyts Archipelago, which is located off the coast from the seaport, Ceduna /Thevenard, was named after Pieter Nuyts in 1627 whilst exploring the southern ocean area of Australia, now known as the Great Australian Bight.
St Peter Island is part of a closely protected Conservation Park and also part of a greater Ecological Restoration of Endangered Species Program by South Australia Parks and Wildlife. A permit has been obtained for 4 operators to land and operate for a limited period. Operating dates/times are dependant on weather conditions, which can be unpredictable at any time of the year.
Expected operators are Peter VK3QI, Keith VK3FT, Jack VK3WWW and Max VK3WT.
Usual IOTA frequencies will be observed, both CW and SSB. Emphasis will be on 30 and 40 CW and 20, 17 and 15 SSB. Long Path to Europe around 0500-0800z will also be emphasized.
OC-220 has only been activated once before in March 1997, by Mal (VK6LC) as VK5ISL, for a total of 2200 qsos, making it a relatively rare group.
CW qsos will be available and special arrangements put in place to maximize contacts with African and South American stations, who have an entirely polar path through the auroral zones to contend with, both long and short paths.
A special commemorative callsign has been applied for and we are particularly interested in having contacts with as many Dutch stations as possible.
QSL details are as follows: via VK3QI Direct (any callbook)
or via VK3 QSL Buro.
Any questions about the proposed operation to:
Peter Forbes, VK3QI
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
