It is hoped that the callsign T32C will be allocated. The “C” in the callsign stands for “CDXC”, the club from which the Five Star DXers Association was formed, and is also a reminder of the group’s previous successful operations.
As with previous FSDXA expeditions, this will be a major effort, with a target of more than 150,000 QSOs. There will be up to sixteen stations on the air, using amplifiers along with monoband beams and vertical dipole arrays, 24 hours a day, for almost four weeks, including four weekends, around the autumn equinox when DX propagation on all bands is typically at its best.
Our primary objective is to activate Christmas Island T32 with a view to giving as many DXers as possible a first contact with this rare DXCC entity and, as a secondary objective, to give as many band-slots as possible. While many experienced DXers have one or two contacts with Christmas Island, our focus, in addition to, making Christmas Island available to less well-equipped DXers, especially in Europe and the US East Coast, both of which are tough paths from the mid-Pacific, will be to help fill those missing band and mode slots, especially on LF and on RTTY.
Club Log shows Kiritimati as 36th most wanted DXCC entity by European operators and 61st most wanted worldwide. It is even more sought after on the LF bands.
A large number of amateurs from 13 different DXCC entities have already signed up for T32C, some for half the overall period, some for the whole operation. There will be 30 operators on site at any one time.
Operator numbers have been determined to ensure that a full complement of stations can be manned whenever bands are open. Many of these operators have been with us before. All bring experience not only of operating (usually multiple modes, often with a contesting background) but in terms of other essential skills. For example, we will have two medical specialists, antenna, RF and software specialists, and a range of other skills which will be essential in mounting a major operation so far from logistical support.
At the time of writing, the team is expected to consist of 40 operators including:
Falk DK7YY, Jens DL7AKC, Paul EI5DI, Dave EI9FBB, Gerard F2JD, Ian F5VKT/G3YBY, Michel FM5CD, Vincent G0LMX, Tony G0OPB, Nobby G0VJG, Don G3BJ, Neville G3NUG, Chris G3SVL, David G3UNA, Gordon G3USR, John G3WGV, Mike G3WPH, Don G3XTT, Mark G4AXX, John G4DRS, Nick G4FAL, Mike G4IUF, Justin G4TSH, Michael G7VJR, Clive GM3POI, Bob GU4YOX, Kazu JA1RJU, Jim KF7E, Bob MD0CCE, Bill N2WB, Arnie N6HC, Bob N6OX, Ronald PA3EWP, Pete SM5GMZ, Maury W3EF, Paul WF5T and Jay WX0B.
It is also planned to take a young amateur, to gain valuable DXpedition experience, and sponsorship is already on hand to make this possible.
At this time we are seeking contributions from sponsors to help defray the very significant logistics costs of this DXpedition. For example, there is limited electricity on the island so generators will have to be shipped. Most equipment has to be shipped by container via Tarawa. The team will then fly out to Christmas via Honolulu.
All team members will be covering their own travel costs and accommodation on the island, and making a contribution to other (mainly logistics) costs, but there will still be a significant shortfall.
Details of how to donate appear on our website http://www.t32c.com which is now live. PayPal donations may be made directly via the site.
All donations will be acknowledged. The logos of all DX clubs etc which have helped to sponsor the DXpedition will be shown on the QSL card, as will the names and callsigns of those who make an individual contribution in advance of the DXpedition (subject, in each case, to a certain minimum amount).
Don Field G3XTT, (don.field@gmail.com) 10 October 2010
(FSDXA Publicity Officer)
