Updates
DX0P now QRT. Thank you for your support!
April 24
The Spratly DXpedition 2015 log has been uploaded to Club Log.
QSL card(s) via the OQRS (Online QSL Request Service) will be availble soon.
April 24
Last four DX0P Team members safely arrived in Puerto Princesa this afternoon and now enjoying a little R&R in Puerto Princesa before flying to Manila tomorrow morning. They were flown out of Pag Asa by a Philippine Navy Islander aircraft. It was a truly unforgettable experience. Thanks for all your concerns and prayers DX0P... QRT
April 23
The PN aircraft which was cleared to fly to Pag-asa Wednesday morning, developed engine problems that need to be fixed and was not able to fly. So the DX0P support team was frantically looking for options to urgently fly Chito WW6CP out of Pagagsa. The DX0P evac support team reached out to the Philippine Adventist Medical Aviation Services (PAMAS), phone calls were made to Dwayne Harris, Director for PAMAS and was willing to fly medevac with government clearance. This is one successful collaborative effort that made the evacuation of Chito WW6CP successful.
As of 12:45pm Philippine time April 23, the plane of the Adventist Medical Aviation Services (PAMAS) that flew to Pagasa for medevac to pick up Chito WW6CP and four others Billy WE6DX, Joey DU1BP, RJ DU7RJA and Jun DV1JM just landed in Puerto Princesa, Palawan.
Joel WJ1P and the rest of the team will be in Palawan later on today.
Thank you for all your prayers and support.
April 22
Medical Emergency
MANILA, Philippines -- The emergency medical evacuation of a sick amateur radio enthusiast from Pag-asa Island has been delayed for days after a Chinese naval vessel reportedly harassed a Philippine Air Force patrol flight in the Spratlys on Monday, forcing the cancellation of flights to the disputed territory.
The incident would be the latest in a long string of run-ins over the Spratlys, where China has embarked on an aggressive reclamation and construction spree on disputed islets and reefs, and follows an April 13 incident where a Chinese coast guard vessel fired a water cannon on Filipino fishermen in Bajo de Masinloc, also known as Scarborough Shoal. Read more here.
April 21
Packed up and ready to go!
It’s been a while since updates have been posted. It’s been challenging to contact the DX0P team from the West Coast. A few hours ago I finally received updates!
As of yesterday, antennas has been taken down, most the equipment packed, now the wait is on for the ship to take the team back to Puerto Princesa, Palawan on April 22. While waiting for the ship, DX0P will still be up on the air intermittently using homebrewed dipoles cut for mono band operations for 12, 17 & 30... 60 meters. With 40 meter openings after the sunset with Oceania dominating the bands... 80 meter which opens up right around 1830 UTC till 2100UTC, they continue will work the airwaves until the ship comes.
Unofficially, DX0P has made roughly 5,000 contacts to include RTTY and SSB on 12, 17 & 30 meters as of 2100 UTC today. The Logs? It ill be uploaded as soon as they have full internet access.
It’s been a good and challenging expedition to the Spratly’s. The team operated for about five days since arriving Pagasa Island on April 16. The DX0P Team is in high spirits and looking forward to returning home after having such a challenging experience. We wish the team safe travel back. Looking forward to sharing their experiences with you all when they return.
April 19
With almost 48 hours of operation DX0P has logged over 3,500 QSO's! As there is no internet on the Island, it is very difficult for the team to send out the ADIF log files to be uploaded. We are trying other methods to get the logs sent out so Club Log can be updated as soon as possible.
Inspite the challenges in propagation and limited time runs on generator power, the team is working hard to work every station that is calling DX0P. They are trying to utilize their resources to work as many bands as they can between different modes.
I was at the 66th International DX Convention at Visalia, CA, Friday and Saturday. Three HF stations with beam antennas were setup at the exhibit hall made available to the attendees by Elecraft, Flex radio and the special event station N6V. Hams in the venue and myself tried to work DX0P but the propagation was very challenging during the hours we were calling.
I thank those who have sent in comments and suggestions. It has been forwarded to the team for them to review and implement as necessary. I know it's been challenging for some to work DX0P, I encourage stations to keep trying I hope you are able to work DX0P. In behalf of the team I thank all of you for your patience and support.
73 de AE6WR
April 17
DX0P is now on the air!
The DX0P Team arrived safely in Pagasa Island. According to the Philippine Navy, they are busy setting up the radio station and antennas.
As of of 0700 UTC, the DX0P has made QSO's 10, 18 & 20 meter bands SSB and RTTY! More update of the teams acitvites coming up. Stay Tuned!
April 15
As of 0745 UTC, 3:45 PM Philippine time, the PN ship has set sail. No more delays!
They were experiencing heavy downpour as they waited for departure. The weather was a concern that may slow them down abit. As they left port, the weather cleared. Cruising at their current speed, it may take over 24 hours for the ship to arrive in pagasa. We hope the weather will be on their favor when the team arrives in Pagasa Island allowing them to speedily setup and operate.
April 15
DX0P TEAM TRAVEL DELAYED
The DX0P team’s arrival to Pagasa has been delayed indefinitely. The PN ship which was scheduled to sail to Spratly Island from Palawan at noon of April 14 was delayed. The vessel’s departure was moved to midnight. As of this writing it is 6:26am Philippine time, 2226 UTC, April 15, the ship has not received orders to sail. As it is the vessel of the Philippine Navy, the DX0P team is under the mercy of the their Commanders. The PN would also like to ensure the safety of the travel and everyone on board. The ship captain notified Joel WJ1P, the DX0P Assistant Team Lead on who is board the vessel that they may sail anytime soon this morning. Until then, we will all have to wait.
A lot of consideration has been done prior to activating DX0P 2015 and delays like this has been one of them. The only way to get to the island is thru transportation provided by the PN. We appreciate the patience of all you DXers world-wide who are waiting on the bands for DX0P. The team is looking forward to departing from Palawan and hope to be on the Pagasa Island soon and get on the air.
April 14
DX0P Team is underway to the Spratlys...fair winds and following seas...
Baggage, check. Food supply, check. Equipment, check. All personnel accounted for. DX0P team sails off to Pagasa Island. It's time to relax, get on the air and have some fun on board a PN ship. The team quickly sets up an HF rig, strung some wires, ran the coax, powered up and got on the air as DX1M/MM QRV 20 Meters 14.277mhz 13:53h Philippine time. DX1M/MM QRV 21.086 mhz RTTY 17:00h Philippine time.
The fun on board was short lived. We had to take the gear down on the ship. The Communications Officer okeyed the install, but when the ship's XO came, and told us to take it down due to operation security(OPSEC) reasons.
April 14
The DX0P DXPedition team is now enroute to Pagasa Island in the Spratly Islands on board the PN ship. More updates as the team send photos and news bits as internet data signal is available. On Pagasa Island, the chance of the team having internet access is slim to none, so we will be dependent on RF transmissions via Pactor from the DX0P team.
When the team arrives in the island, crew quarters and contest station venues will be set up. Antennas and radio installation will immediately commence. The team will work round the clock to get DX0P on the air in an expeditious manner. See you soon in the bands!
DX0P Team on the way to the Sprratly Islands on board the Philipine Navy BRP APOLINARIO MABINI.
Billy WE6DX on board the Philippine Navy ship enroute to Pagasa Island.
April 13
DX0P team now in Palawan doing some late night trouble shooting, filter sequencing, and doing final necessary adjustments making sure the equipment runs as configured. This is precuationary check must be done while there is electricity and internet and supplies if needed. The team will then depart shortly for Pagasa Island.
April 13
DX0P team touch down in Puerto Princesa, Palawan.
L-R: Joel WJ1P DU1JP, Joey DU1BP, Jun DU1JM, Yolanda, Chito WW6CP, Billy WE6DX, Ven DV3KWM, Joseph DU2BOQ & RJ DU7RJA. Leo WA6LOS not in picture.
L-R: Joey DU1BP, Jun DU1JM, Joseph DU2BOQ, Ven DV3KWM, & RJ DU7RJA
April 12, 2015
The DX0P team is on their way to Pagasa Island in the Spratly’s. April 10, the members of the team from the US and Canada has arrived in Manila Philippines and joined the rest of the expedition team members who are from the Philippines in Naga City for the 83rd Philippine Amateur Radio Association National Hamvention and the 22nd International Grand Eyeball-QSO.
April 13, the team will fly from Manila to Puerto Princesa, Palawan. From Puerto Princesa, four members of the team will be flown to the island on board the Philippine Navy Islander aircraft. The first team will immediately setup the area, put up the antennas and first two contest stations. The rest of the team will be arriving the island on board the Philippine Navy ship.
The DX0P team’s excitement is building and can’t wait to get to the island and get on the air. We look forward to working you on the air soon.
DX0P team and DU hams in Naga City
April 8, 2015
Elecraft radios are and other equipment arrive in Manila, Phillippines with WJ1P.
2015 March 16
"Finally, our shipment has arrived in Puerto Princessa!!! Thank you so much Wells Cargo Express! Our antenna's, coax, generator, etc... arrived Puerto Princessa, Philippines.
