KL7RRC Bethel County Group DXpedition NA-240 NEW

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Team KL7RRC have tentative plans to activate Bethel County Group NA-240 from approx January 5-8, 2012.

This is the last NEW ONE IOTA in Alaska and will be the team’s contribution to starting off the IOTA Marathon.

All plans subject to weather and transportation availability.

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UPDATE: Yuri N3QQ informs that the team is now two operators – he and Tim, NL8F. They will also now arrive at Bethel on January 2, 2012 so possibly on air slightly earlier than first mentioned (below). At the moment they are checking with local small airline pilots flying overhead during regular flights to Kipnuk, to see if landing is possible directly to one of islands within the NA240 group.


[October 31, 2011] Russian Robinson Club members together with Bethel Amateur Radio Club BARK are planning to activate the last new one IOTA in Alaska, NA-240, Bethel County Group around January 5-8, 2012. Main reason for winter activation is to jump start the IOTA Marathon.

Team members are: Tim NL8F, Alex RW3RN, Yuri UA9OBA and Yuri N3QQ.

QSL via UA9OBA (Europe/Russia) and N7RO. Visit http://www.na-234.comfor latest updates.

All plans subject to weather and transportation availability.

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UPDATE

Weather permitting around January 5-8, 2012, the last IOTA new-one in Alaska will be activated by two members of the Russian Robinson Club, Tim Tilleman NL8F and Yuri Sushkin N3QQ. They will sign KL7RRC/p on 10-80m CW and SSB. QSL via N7RO or UA9OBA.

This expedition would not take place without support from Bethel Amateur Radio Club and BARK’s President Mark WL7BCT, Joe AL1F and Dean WL7COJ.

Uninhabited group of islands (sand bars), located ~ 100 miles snow machines’ ride from Bethel, Alaska. The Bering Sea is currently frozen and NOAA Ice Maps provide good assurance it will be a smooth ride. Temperature is hovering around -20C (-4F). Our exact location will be provided in real time with satellite SPOT messenger.

This is a final and last “new-one” in almost five years series of expeditions organized by RRC which started with KL7DX in 2008 to Chuginadak Island (NA-234) when Cleveland volcano erupted upon arrival.

If you chase IOTA’s you probably worked KL7RRC in 2009 from Ogliuga island (NA-233), Chirikof island (NA-235) in 2010 and St. Matthew island (NA-232) in July 2011.

“Blame” for erazing New-One’s from IOTA directory in Alaska should be taken by Sergey RA3NAN, Johnny KE7V, Merle K5MT, Alex RW3RN, Tim NL8F, Yuri UA9OBA and Yuri N3QQ.

We would like to thank Sergey RA3NAN, IREF (islandradio.org) and many of you for continuing financial support as well as Icom America for help with equipment.

Happy New Year and hope to work you in few days!

73 from

Yuri Sushkin N3QQ
KL7RRC team NL8F/N3QQ

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EXPEDITION CANCELLED

After much analysis and discussion, Yuri N3QQ and Tim NL8F pass news that the expedition to NA-240 has been cancelled, primarily due to severe weather conditions within the whole Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta. The forecast does not show any improvement.

In the meantime, equipment has been left with the local radio station (KYUK) whilst both Yuri and Tim return home.

More to follow..

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UPDATE

Following an earlier postponement, Yuri N3QQ informs he and Tim, NL8F again plan activity from NA-240 NEW sometime around May 12-14, 2012. Exact dates to be determined nearer the time.

More info to follow..

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UPDATE by Yuri N3QQ

Operators of KL7RRC/p 2012 Alaska trip will arrive in Bethel on May 10,2012 with a goal of activating NA-240.

Members are: Tim Tilleman NL8F and myself, Yuri Sushkin N3QQ . We are looking for an additional team member – if you have some time on your hands, please contact me or Tim ASAP.

Conditions: locals predicting ice on the river near Bethel will break around May 12th, ice near islands now about 4-6″. Only realistic way is by air and hopefully the company we are speaking with will meet us at airport.

Estimated May 10-14th operation from Pingurbeck Island (NA-240) IOTA new one.

QSL can be confirmed by either QSL Manager, Yuri UA9OBA or Dick, N7RO

We will keep you posted about new developments. Live tracking of our location should be available after May 9th at http://www.NA-234.com

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REMINDER

Tim NL8F and Yuri N3QQ will arrive in Bethel on May 10 with a goal of activating NA-240 – NEW

Estimated May 11th-14th operation from Pingurbeck Island (NA-240)

QSL can be confirmed by either Yuri, UA9OBA or Dick, N7RO