MS0INT IOTA DXpedition: EU-010 EU-059 & EU-111
After the successful activation of the dangerous and rare Flannan Isles, EU-118 in June 2010, the MSØINT team have re-grouped, re-organised and strengthened in size for their next adventure.
Again led by Col MM0NDX , the 2011 IOTA team includes Christian EA3NT, Ramon EA3OR , Raul EA5KA , Stan EI6DX , Vincent F4BKV and Simon IZ7ATN . All highly experienced island activators, it is planned the MSØINT team will put Benbecula, South Uist, Grimsay, Baleshare, North Uist, Berneray, Monach Isles and St Kilda Archipelago on the air between June 14 '“ 20, 2011.
It must be made aware our plans could change quite suddenly due to weather/seas in the area.
Benbecula - all the team will fly to Benbecula, EU-010 making this the first island on the air. Operating time from here will be short as we head to South Uist, Grimsay, Baleshare, North Uist & Berneray.
Grimsay - a short distance from Benbecula, and also part of the EU-010 IOTA group, we plan to activate this island as we journey north. It is from here we will leave for the Monach isles.
Baleshare - our next island destination, again on EU-010. It is said it was once linked to the Monach isles, 8 miles west.
North Uist '“ another likely short activation as we make our way to the Isle of Berneray. WAB hunters may be interested to work these rare squares on the above islands as we travel northwards.
Berneray '“ this will be the teams main base during their planned activity. Part of the vast EU-010 group, the Isle of Berneray is key to our operations. The actual island has not been activated that often, so this may appeal to dedicated chasers. Final testing of equipment before we depart for Monachs and St Kilda will be done here.
Monach Isles, EU-111 - Weather permitting, we will depart Grimsay island and head for the Monach Isles, EU-111. Similar to St Kilda, almost 20 previous activations have taken place resulting in just 33% claiming this particular IOTA. We plan to stay 24 hours giving as many as possible this semi-rare island also. From Monachs, we will sail to St Kilda.
St Kilda Archipelago, EU-059 - It's hard to imagine that an IOTA with exactly 20 previous activations is claimed by only 35% of enthusiasts. The reason: Extreme WX and the fact it is the remotest part of the UK. Not many people stay long and a great percentage of chasers who have made contact with EU-059 are from Europe. Our intention is to change that statistic. After a very long and difficult process, we can report that an activation will take place atop Hirta, the main island of the St Kilda Archipelago. Take-off angles are unobstructed and we believe every point on the globe will have a chance to work us. We hope to stay three full days on Hirta.
QSL manager will again be Tim, M0URX of United Radio QSL management.
Again led by Col MM0NDX , the 2011 IOTA team includes Christian EA3NT, Ramon EA3OR , Raul EA5KA , Stan EI6DX , Vincent F4BKV and Simon IZ7ATN . All highly experienced island activators, it is planned the MSØINT team will put Benbecula, South Uist, Grimsay, Baleshare, North Uist, Berneray, Monach Isles and St Kilda Archipelago on the air between June 14 '“ 20, 2011.
It must be made aware our plans could change quite suddenly due to weather/seas in the area.
Benbecula - all the team will fly to Benbecula, EU-010 making this the first island on the air. Operating time from here will be short as we head to South Uist, Grimsay, Baleshare, North Uist & Berneray.
Grimsay - a short distance from Benbecula, and also part of the EU-010 IOTA group, we plan to activate this island as we journey north. It is from here we will leave for the Monach isles.
Baleshare - our next island destination, again on EU-010. It is said it was once linked to the Monach isles, 8 miles west.
North Uist '“ another likely short activation as we make our way to the Isle of Berneray. WAB hunters may be interested to work these rare squares on the above islands as we travel northwards.
Berneray '“ this will be the teams main base during their planned activity. Part of the vast EU-010 group, the Isle of Berneray is key to our operations. The actual island has not been activated that often, so this may appeal to dedicated chasers. Final testing of equipment before we depart for Monachs and St Kilda will be done here.
Monach Isles, EU-111 - Weather permitting, we will depart Grimsay island and head for the Monach Isles, EU-111. Similar to St Kilda, almost 20 previous activations have taken place resulting in just 33% claiming this particular IOTA. We plan to stay 24 hours giving as many as possible this semi-rare island also. From Monachs, we will sail to St Kilda.
St Kilda Archipelago, EU-059 - It's hard to imagine that an IOTA with exactly 20 previous activations is claimed by only 35% of enthusiasts. The reason: Extreme WX and the fact it is the remotest part of the UK. Not many people stay long and a great percentage of chasers who have made contact with EU-059 are from Europe. Our intention is to change that statistic. After a very long and difficult process, we can report that an activation will take place atop Hirta, the main island of the St Kilda Archipelago. Take-off angles are unobstructed and we believe every point on the globe will have a chance to work us. We hope to stay three full days on Hirta.
QSL manager will again be Tim, M0URX of United Radio QSL management.