ET3AA Youth Development Project: DX-Pedition 2011

[IK0ZCW]

By David Collingham, K3LP

Members of our team will depart Washington Dullas Airport in Virginia on Wednesday morning, December 7, 2011 headed to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia where we will be greeted by Sid May (ET3SID). See here for additional information and updates.

Our team will include David Collingham (K3LP – Team Leader), Paul Ewing (N6PSE), Al Hernandez (K3VN) and Bill Beyer Jr. (N2WB). My good friend Krassy Petkov (K1LZ) informed me today that his participation is not possible due to a serious health issue with his father in Bulgaria. Our prayers are with you Krassy.

The duration of this trip will be 8:30 AM December 8, 2011 through 10:30 PM, December 13, 2011.

The primary goal of the trip is related to Youth Development at the Addis Ababa University – Institute of Technology. Fifty-eight (58) students have been studying to take the US FCC Amateur Radio License exams since my last visit in August 2011. Student numbers taking the tests by type are:

- 58 = Technician License (Element 2) exam
- 44 = General License (Element 3) exam
- 5 = Extra License (Element 4) exam

Our team will administer the examinations in accordance with the ARRL’s VEC requirements for Volunteer Examiners (VEs). David Collingham (K3LP) will be the VE Team Liaison on this trip with Paul (N6PSE), Al (K3VN) and Bill (N2WB) participating as Volunteer Examiners.

The tests will be conducted at 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM on Saturday, December 10, 2011. Another session will be held on Monday, December 12, 2011 for retests and General/Extra Class license exams. Our team members will sponsor and pay 100% of student exam fees.

The other goals with this trip are:

- Creation of “University of Addis Ababa – Technology Incubation Program (TIP)”
- Low Band Antenna Installation (160 & 80 Meters) at University
- Activate ET3AA and ET3SID on 160M thru 6 Meters using CW and SSB

There are only two radios (one at the university and one at Sid’s home) for use during this trip. The legal authorization to bring additional equipment into the country requires the Ethiopian government security approval prior to entry. Future trips will involve bring additional equipment that can be donated to students.

Our team will operate from Sid May’s QTH using the call sign ET3SID and from the university using the call ET3AA call sign. Look for us on 160 thru 6 Meters using CW and SSB. I’ll work with students to install 160 Meter vertical and 80 Meter four square antennas during this trip. All antenna, coax, control cable, four square box, etc. supplies will be donated to the club.

QSL Manager for ET3AA and ET3SID for this trip only: N2OO (Bob Schenck). Please do not merge other QSL requests for QSO’s you’ve made with ET3SID and ET3AA in the same envelop not related to this trip. Bob will only have the logs for the ET3AA and ET3SID for Dec. 8-13, 2011. Thank you!

We look forward to working you from Ethiopia.

Sincerely,

David Collingham – K3LP

[IK0ZCW]

By David Collingham, K3LP

I got the 160 meter antenna up today, 127′ vertical (abt 5 ‘ L at the end) with four ground radials 128′ each.

I also sent an email to Igor (UY5LW) and Yarik (UW7LL) asking them to join our team this evening through the weekend to expand radio and amplifier count.

We have a perfect SWR on 160 meters and noise level is about S7-8. Our goal for the ACOM 2k or 1010 was not possible due to security. I was able to bring and pay tax on a 500w solid-state amp (Ameritron) ALS-500M. It works fine on 15, 20 and 40, but only 200w on 80 & 160. Real bummer! I’ve install earth ground on radio, amp and all power supplies. Still the same issue.

If Igor arrives this evening, we’ll put their amp on 160. If not, it’s going to be 200w on 80 & 160 m until we resolve issue.

David – K3LP

[IK0ZCW]

Our team has now concluded this trip and is headed to the airport, Dec. 13, 2011, 7:00 PM. The results of the US FCC License testing for Dec. 10, 12 and 13 are as follows:

Total Number Students Tested: 62
Total Number of Amateur License Tests conducted: 161

License Types issued:

Qty 5 – Extra Class Licenses
Qty 36 – General Class Licenses
Qty 16 – Technician Class Licenses
Qty 5 – Did not receive a License
After we get our logs combined, we’ll upload the results to the Logbook of the World plus post the results as a search function. ET3AA and ET3SID QSL is via N2OO for Dec. 8-13, 2011 only.

Thanks to everyone for their understanding regarding the low bands. A future goal will be set to operate from a remote location with exceptional receive antennas.

73′s

David Collingham – K3LP