Author - Chris Cloclough G1VDP

QSL cards have been posted to World Bureaus –Tuesday 27th May 2025.

The following is taken from Tim, M0URX) website. As usual I Charles (M0OXO) and myself met at Tim’s home to put this mailing together. It just shows that the bureau system is not free as you all think.
QSL cards have been posted to World Bureaus –Tuesday 27th May 2025.

This mailing is a joint mailing between M0OXO Charles & M0URX Tim. (also thanks G1VDP Chris)


I would very much appreciate feedback from you when the QSL cards start arriving at World Bureaus or received by hams around the world?


Delays are due to issues caused by the World Customs Organisation regulations. Please remember that with the new customs tax we cannot guarantee that the parcels will get through to your bureau. We now suggest sending only direct QSL route. All bureau requests are at your own risk.


The parcels are sent by Priority Business Mail to get to the Bureaus quickly.

Total amount of QSL cards dispatched: 9,785

Via M0URX 2,885, Via M0OXO 6,900.


Total Weight: 48.7 Total cost £461.48: £9.48per kg. 


Dispatch listed below in grams to each destination.


The below volumes are measured in grams per parcel,
UK United Kingdom 

Europe

Andorra 
Austria 685
Belgium 2,090
Bosnia 
Bulgaria 265
Croatia 575
Cyprus 10
Czech Republic 925
Denmark 380
Estonia 79
Finland 685
France 1,020
Germany 3330
Greece 625
Gibraltar
Hungary 600
Italy 3,730
Ireland 355
Latvia 19
Netherlands 945
Malta
Norway 430
Poland 1,200
Portugal 495
Romania 275
Slovenia 400
Slovakia 500
Spain 3,730
Sweden 875

R.O.W
Andorra 

Algeria
Argentina 43
Armenia
Aruba
Australia 435
Barbados
Belarus 122
Bermuda
Brunei
Bosnia Herzegovina 133
Brazil 490
Canada 785
Chile 15
China 395
Colombia
Costa Rica 32
Cuba 7
Dominican Republic 54
Ecuador 8
El Salvador
Faroe Islands
Falkland Islands
Guatemala
Georgia
Honduras
Hong Kong
Iceland
India 64
Indonesia 510
Iran
Israel 153
Japan 11,740
Jordan
Kazakhstan 50
Kyrgyzstan
Kuwait 45
Lebanon
Liechtenstein 
Lithuania 127
Luxembourg 57
Macau
Macedonia 16
Malaysia 20
Mexico 57
Moldova 16
Monaco
Mongolia
Namibia
New Caledonia
New Zealand 62
Nicaragua
Oman
Panama 10
Paraguay
Peru
Philippines  30
Qatar 
Russian Fed 1.000
Saudi Arabia
Serbia 320
South Africa 25
South Korea 300
Sri Lanka
Switzerland 720
Taiwan 
Tajikistan
Thailand 56
Trinidad
Tunisia
Turkey 22
United Arab Emirates
Ukraine 965
Uzbekistan
Uruguay 16
Venezuela 
Fiji


USA
W0, 495

W1, 535
W2 525
W3, 467
W4, 935
W5, 500
W6, 515
W7, 630
W8,420
W9 840
WP3 41
WL7 38
WH6 25
KP2

Parts for E-Hails 2 QO-100 Station

At last I have started gathering the parts for the QO-100 station that I have been wanting for a few years now. I was given the dish and LNB mount by one of our club members, thank you Tony (G7FSD), and cleaned it up with a quick coat of white car spray primer – could do with a second coat to be sure and make it look pretty. It is a steerable dish with all the controllers, but as I will not be needing to move it due to the satellite being a geo-stationary one, these bits will be redundant. 

After a bit of research I started on the route of using a 70cm transceiver with a transverter for the uplink, and the DX Patrol LNB and receiver for the downlink with the RSP 1A SDR receiver I have here in the shack. But I quickly changed my thought process after joining the QO-100 group on Facebook and asking a couple of questions. I decided on the path the same as David Trewren (G7IYK) and his YouTube channel videos.

A Pluto + SDR from Ali-Express, SG Labs amplifier, and almost all other bits off eBay or websites selling them. Total outlay should come in under £500.00 – though I am still looking for the helical antenna and cone which may just be a homebrew one if I can find someone to print some 3D parts for me. 

I will keep you informed as the bits go together and arrive.

Help for Newbies.

This website article has just been shared on Bluesky by Michael, G7VJR, and is well worth a read by any newcomers into the hobby. Remamber it is always worth making contact with a club local to you, or a local radio amateur who will assist you. You could even contact Hinckley ARES (my local club) and we are more than happy to help any one with advice and tips, or even if local will come and help with antennas (hinckleyradiosociety@gmail.com).

https://offgridham.com/2025/05/new-to-ham-radio/

Friedrichshafen 2025- IOTA Forum

Taken from Charles’ (M0OXO) Facebook page this morning. Interesting presentations booked.

Friedrichshafen 2025- IOTA Forum

The presentations for the IOTA Forum in Friedrichshafen this year have been finalised. We have two presentations from recent IOTA activations in Scotland (Flannan Isles) and Tanzania (Mafia Island), as well as a catch up on planning for two eagerly sought after upcoming operations to Bouvet and South Georgia.

Subject to any unforeseen circumstances, here is the programme for Hall A2, Room 1, (the IOTA Forum) on Saturday, June 28, 2025;

10.00am – 10.20 – MM0UKI Flannan Isles by M0SDV
10.25am – 10.45 – 3Y0K Bouvet 2026 by F5VHQ
10.50am – 11.10 – 5H1WX by OK1WX
11.15am – 11.30 – VP0SG 2027 by (Team Member TBC)

Don’t forget to call in at the IOTA Booth to say hello and sign our Guest book. Also, please remember to check out the other presentations over the weekend that will be held in the DX Plaza.

Thanks in advance for your participation, the IOTA Team look forward to seeing you all there!

Amateur Radio DXpeditions Announces Major 2027 DXpedition to South Georgia Island (VP0SG)

 The following has just been released by ARDX. Excellent news to follow on from their Bouvet and Peter 1 expeditions in 2026.

– Press Release #1 May 23, 2025 –

Amateur Radio DXpeditions (ARD) is proud to announce plans for a ground-breaking DXpedition to South Georgia Island, set to take place in March 2027.

Operating under the allocated callsign VP0SG, this ambitious activation will target one of the rarest and most logistically challenging DXCC entities, well ranked on top of the ClubLog’s Most Wanted List, with particularly high demand in some areas of the world.


The remote sub-Antarctic island of South Georgia poses access difficulties due to its protected environmental status, mountainous terrain, and volatile weather conditions. After extensive negotiations and ongoing permitting discussions with the Government of South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands (GSGSSI), ARD is optimistic about securing authorization for an onshore operation.


The team has reserved a rugged, ice-strengthened expedition motor vessel known for its support of polar science missions for the period of the DXpedition to South Georgia. The ship’s versatility and compact size make it an ideal platform for staging low-impact landings and providing continuous logistical support to the operator team.

“Our goal is to deliver a world-class, environmentally responsible DXpedition with global reach” said Rune LA7THA, one of the ARD leadership team. “This project combines technical innovation, strategic planning, and a strong commitment to youth mentorship.”

As a project that aligns closely with the values of international amateur radio collaboration, education, and high-impact DXing, ARD is currently seeking sponsorship and support from key organizations in the amateur radio community to bring VP0SG to life.


About Amateur Radio DXpeditions (ARD):


ARD is a non-profit organisation committed to activating rare DXCC entities through sustainable, technically sound, and globally impactful expeditions. ARD projects emphasize youth inclusion, operational excellence, and environmental stewardship.


For more information or to support the VP0SG DXpedition, please contact:


board@ardxpeditions.com


www.ardxpeditions.com/dxpeditions/vp0sg

NCDXF Announcement at Dayton 2025

This weekend is the annual Dayton Hamvention in the USA. It is attended by many of the top Dxers, contesters and DX clubs, with their DX diner and other announcements taking place. It is where the “Hall Of Fame” inductees are presented with their plaques, DXpeditions announced, and new products on display. Along with a huge “flee market” it is one of the many places to visit in the amateur radio world. From here the following has been announced by the Northern California DX Foundation – they sponsor almost all the big expeditions – and has been sent out by the Weekly DX.

$50,000 USD NCDXF Top 20 Incentive Award

To encourage the activation of a Top 20 entity listed on the Club Log DXCC Most Wanted List, the Northern California DX Foundation (NCDXF) is offering a cash incentive for DXpeditions taking place on or after July 1, 2025, that meet the following conditions:

Get permission and a license to operate from a Top 20 DXCC entity according to the Club Log DXCC Most Wanted List on the date the DXpedition operation begins. *
Securing permission to operate and a license for the DXpedition operation must not violate any law or regulation. **
The ARRL’s DXCC Desk must approve the DXpedition for DXCC credit.
The DXpedition must have qualified for funding by NCDXF. (Note: This award is above and beyond any NCDXF funding for the DXpedition.)
The DXpedition must log over 50,000 QSOs.
Within 90 days of the completion of a DXpedition to an entity described above, an application for the award must be submitted to the NCDXF with all required documentation.
The application form for this award will be posted on the NCDXF website.

The NCDXF Board of Directors will decide on making an award at its next meeting after receiving the application and all required documentation.

All applications submitted will be maintained in confidence by the NCDXF Board.

Only one award will be made per DXCC entity.

No Officer, Director, or advisor of NCDXF shall be eligible to receive any benefit from this award.

This program may be terminated at the discretion of the NCDXF Board.

 

* Bouvet, Peter 1, and St. Peter and Paul Rocks are excluded as previously announced in 2025.

** For example — no bribes or payoffs are used to secure either the license or permission to operate.

 

New Radio(s) From Kenwood

This morning this was posted on a Facebook group. Looking at the Kenwood Japan website it does seem to be true, so is the rumour that Kenwood are going to be launching a new radio, with a 70th Anniversary edition? Maybe at Dayton Hamvention this weekend – 16th to 18th June 2025 – or will they wait until the Tokyo Ham Fair in August? Would be nice to see at FHN if launched at Dayton, but we may have to wait another year for that one. I will be interested to see and will be following the rumour mill.

Ham Radio Show, Friedrichshafen 2025 Update.

As we get towards mid may it is now getting closer too the annual visit to Friedrichshafen and the Ham Radio show at the Messe. To say I am looking forward to this one is an understatement. For some reason I think this year will be bigger and better than previous years, and I am going to be meeting friends in the beer garden for afternoon drinks – something I have missed over the past couple of years. 

It is not just the show that I am looking forward to, it is spending time with old friends, making new ones, and generally enjoying the beautiful town on the lakes of Lake Constance. Everything from the start of the journey on the Tuesday when Charles (M0OX) calls at my home to take me to the airport, then call at Ady’s (G6AD) for him to travel to Heathrow the day before our flight. Chilling out in the Premier Inn on Bath Road, Hounslow before an early start on the Wednesday to get our flight from Heathrow. Hopefully at that time in June we get god weather and can sit in the garden and watch the aircraft come in to land, where it feels you could reach out and touch them they are that close. A meal and early night ready for the alarm at 3:00am.

Get to the airport, check in, go through security, and have breakfast. Or just sit with a coffee ready for the flight at 06:35. Arrive in Zurich at 09:20 (local) – as long as no delays and the flight is on time – to get our luggage and head into the “Circle” for the train to Romanshorn and a ferry across Lake Constance. Hopefully arriving in Friedrichshafen in time for lunch in one of the many bars and cafes the town has to offer. A time to chill, relax and have a look around the town. Probably an early night with the long day and travelling taking it out of us.

Last year, 2024, on the Thursday we paid a visit to the Zeppelin Museum in the town, and we were joined by Grant (VK5GW), a friend from Australia who we met face to face for the first time. A quick trip in the afternoon to the Messe to check out the IOTA stand and start setting up, meeting more old friends who were there setting their stands up ready for Friday morning. Dinner and a few beers in the evening and meeting even more friends from the UK, Europe, and far flung countries of the world in the hotel bar.

Friday is show day number one, getting to the Messe to be greeted by Markus (DL1AN) on the German DX Foundation (GDXF) stand, usually with a coffee. The Mediterraneo DX Club (MDXC) will be there with Antony and his wife. Frank, Franco, and others will be at the Clipperton DX Club and across from them the Chiltern DX Club (both CDXC – one French and one from UK) with the British contingent. And as the day goes on more friends and visitors will say hello and speak to the team about the IOTA Awards. As I mentioned earlier a trip out into the gardens to see more friends with a beer at lunchtime, then a look around the halls full of used equipment and antique radios before looking at the new shiny equipment in the main hall again.

In the evening a meal in one of the restaurants down by the lake, before a walk back up into town and the bar Pier 41 to see the guys from Northern Ireland. A few more beers and laughs before back t the hotel for a night cap and chat with our Norwegian friends who will be passing by. A very good social scene as can be seen.

Saturday and we have to do it again. Breakfast in the hotel, a taxi and back in the hall for a coffee with MDXC or GDXF again. A few jokes and a look around before the crowds arrive. And we start again. More friends come and say hello, all DXers and expeditioners. Lunch in the beer garden, and yes a couple of beers will be involved. End of the day and it will be a meal in Tiffany’s steak house – do visit if you go to FHN as it is the best steak meal I have ever tasted. Back into town and a walk down to the lakeside to meet more friends and have a couple more beers before back to the hotel and Pier 41. 

Sunday is the last day and the return journey. Maybe a short visit to the Messe to pack away the stand and say our farewells before we get the ferry to Romanshorn and train to Zurich. Our flights are at 19:40 local time so we have time to get a meal when back at Zurich, and relax in the airport departures before our flight home. Usually there will be a few more of the British contingent around, or one or two of our friends who are also flying at the same time. Duty free bought – sorry I am a sucker for the Orange flavoured Toblerone that are for sale over there – and gifts for family we board the flight back to Heathrow and our bed in the Premier Inn again. Charles will drop us off home on the Monday ready to get back into the routine on the Tuesday at work. 

Maybe this is why I am looking forward to Ham Radio 2025 so much, to see old friends, make new ones and relax in a beautiful city in Germany.

 

E-HAILS 2 QO-100 Project

Last week the Hinckley Amateur Radio & Electronics Society (HARES) paid a visit to Bletchley Park and the RSGB’s National Radio Centre (NRC). An excellent day out for any one who has an interest in the history of World War 2, and what went on in secret here in the UK. It was at Bletchley where Alan Turing and his team “cracked” the German Enigma machines coding. This is shown throughout the parks museum and grounds. The NRC is in a small building attached and shows a history of Amateur Radio with a station set up to demonstrate our wonderful hobby. Using the call GB3RS we were allowed to have a go on the air, and myself I had a go on the QO-100 station they have set up.

QO-100 is a geostationary satellite over Africa, and has a footprint that covers from Brazil and the Caribbean across to Thailand (see image). I have long wanted to have a go at making contacts through this satellite and now from this have a go on air I am determined to get a station set up at home.

The first part has been reading and studying on how to get on the air with the minimal of cost. I have decided I am going to use the DX-Patrol  LNB (Low Noise Block) and their helical antenna on a 1.5M dish I have kindly been given by one of our club members Tony, G7FSD. This dish needs a little work to clean it, remove some light rust, and then give it a coat or two of paint to make it look presentable. I have also bought an old Icom IC-371 (IC-471 in Europe) 70cm multi-mode transceiver to use as the transmitter into a DX-Patrol 13cm transverter I have yet to buy, maybe return from Friedrichshafen with this.

But for now I will just receive with the LNB and SDR receiver, getting to see how it works and the protocols of satellite operating.

SQ1K Bart’s clothing

Taken from Charles’ webpage. So if you want quality clothing to identify who you are at any Amateur Radio, or even a club event, go and use the discount code through Charles’ link at the bottom of the article.

If you are looking for personalized gear such as Polo Shirts, T.Shirts, Fleece, Sweatshirts, Hoodies, Caps, Dust Covers & much more, take a look at the online shop of Bart SQ1K on this link;

https://www.etsy.com/shop/SQ1KBartsShop

You can also claim a discount on your order by clicking on the link in the sidebar on the M0OXO website;

https://www.m0oxo.com/