Bouvet Island 2016

[IK0ZCW]

Breaking news!!!
A well-known operator received word from the Norwegian Polar Institute:
"it’s a go for a one man DXpedition for 3 months, time frame half January 2016 through half April 2016 to
Bouvet Island."

http://www.on4ww.be/bouvet2016.html

[IK0ZCW]

Mark, ON4WW has been granted permission by the Norwegian Polar Institute to land and stay at Cape Valdivia, Bouvet Island for three months, from mid-January until mid-April 2016. This is intended to be a one-man amateur radio DXpedition, with a target of 100,000 CW, SSB and RTTY QSOs on the HF bands and daily log uploads to Club Log, LoTW and eQSL. "Whether or not this DXpedition will take place depends on the next
big hurdle: funding", Mark says. A web page providing background information and full details including the funding approach is available at http://www.on4ww.be/bouvet2016.html. The email address to contact Mark with regard to the DXpedition is bouvet2016[@]telenet.be. [TNX ON4WW]

[IK0ZCW]

On 26 October 2014 an announcement was made through various channels that I had obtained permission to land and reside on Bouvet Island (3Y/B) for the mid-January 2016 until mid-April 2016 time frame.

On this webpage http://www.on4ww.be/bouvet2016.html an extensive description of the project as well as a request for (exclusive) funding was put forward.

I am aware that most of the DX Foundations and some of the DX Clubs request to fill out an Application Form to outline the project details in order to obtain possible funding. Some also request a Budget Worksheet. Obviously, I will be able to comply with these requests. However please kindly bear with me if I do not submit complete documentation at this point in time. Upon request, though, I can and will of course send you my Budget forecast spreadsheet for initial consideration.

On 11 November 2014 Alex/UN7PCZ announced a two week DXpedition to Bouvet Island during the December 2015 – January 2016 time frame. I do not at all see this as a competing project, and welcome this great news.

The fact of a large group going to Bouvet has convinced me even more that I should (try to) obtain funding through a single/exclusive sponsor, as extensively outlined on the webpage . Two main reasons would be to off-load the financial burden from the ham community (in case the sponsor doesn’t want a financial return but has other plans with the project), and for me to be able to focus on the DXpedition logistics, rather than having to search for finances.

I presume the below question may probably be considered as hypothetical. However, I kindly ask you to consider this carefully. In the event that the UN7PCZ-group withdraws its plans (it wouldn’t be the first time a major DXpedition is cancelled), my Bouvet project will probably be the only one in many years to come.

In case I manage to secure an exclusive sponsor for my project, it would obviously be favorable if this sponsor does not specifically seek a financial return. In the opposite scenario I will have to turn to the ham community, investigating what is feasible in terms of financial support.

The subsequent question: what financial support would your organization be able to pledge for this project? This is no formal request for funding, I am only asking for your intentions in order to assess the financial feasibility of the project – with the scenario outlined above.

This is the excerpt of the operational plan:
- projected number of QSOs: 100,000
- QSL: bureau, direct, OQRS, any way people want it. For DX Foundations/Clubs and Radio Amateur Organizations upon request: QSLs will be sent in batch to your organization
- log: daily uploads to LoTW, Clublog, e-QSL through proper satellite link
- all HF bands CW/SSB + RTTY on 2 or 3 bands
- antennas: verticals in various constellations and inv-L’s will be the only manageable type of antennas that won’t break down on Bouvet – with sufficient spares brought along
- radios and amps: I will take what I am comfortable with (well proven and sturdy radios) – three of each device
- 24/7 operation during 3 months (with adequate rest periods), mitigating the impact of the Antarctic black-outs known from past expeditions of shorter duration
- operator: one (I understand some DX foundations do not normally fund one person DXpeditions; I kindly ask you to reconsider this practice for this particular and unique case)
- I already have several offers from QSL-managers for (free) QSLing (a decision on what to ask for OQRS has not been made; it should be as low cost as possible so everybody can enjoy this service)

For those of you who want to know more about me and my past endeavors here http://www.on4ww.be/ON4WW.html

The forecasted budget is put at 250,000 euro (+- 315,000 USD). This is a generous forecast with a solid variance, I expect it to ultimately be less.

Organizations supporting this project financially, would have their logo on a dedicated website and on the QSL card, stuffers can be sent with the card, photo’s on Bouvet with your T-shirt/banner, etc. as per standard DXpedition modality.

I hope this message answers most of your questions upfront. Please have a thorough look here http://www.on4ww.be/bouvet2016.html, I believe you will notice that the project is well thought through.

Should you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to ask.

I would highly appreciate your response within the next few weeks. By the end of this year I will make a decision whether or not to proceed with the project. In the event that I am not able to secure an exclusive sponsor and at the same time the projected sponsoring from within the ham community would be sufficient, it will be a challenging decision.

Regardless if you are able to foresee financial support to my project or not, I would appreciate if a lead or an introduction to a potential exclusive sponsor would be considered. It is still my favorable prospect for funding, and I thank you in advance for any assistance on that front.

Thank you for your time and kind consideration.

73 de Mark / ON4WW

[IK0ZCW]

BOUVET 2016

REQUEST FOR FUNDING INTENTIONS

by Mark Demeuleneere, ON4WW

Dear DXer,

On 26 October 2014 an announcement was made through various channels that I had obtained permission to land and reside on Bouvet Island (3Y/B) for the mid-January 2016 until mid-April 2016 time frame.

On the webpage http://www.on4ww.be/bouvet2016.html an extensive description of the project as well as a request for (exclusive) funding was put forward.

On 19 November 2014 I sent a request for funding intentions to the various DX Foundations, DX Clubs, Radio Amateur Organizations and some of the corporate material providers.

Today I am addressing you as an individual DXer who has actively contributed towards the success of one or more of the fairly recent major DXpeditions.

On 11 November 2014 Alex/UN7PCZ announced a two week DXpedition to Bouvet Island during the December 2015 - January 2016 time frame. I do not at all see this as a competing project, and welcome this great news.

The fact of a large group going to Bouvet has convinced me even more that I should try to obtain funding through a single/exclusive sponsor, as extensively outlined at http://www.on4ww.be/bouvet2016.html#funding.

Two main reasons for this would be to
1) off-load the financial burden from the ham community (in case the sponsor doesn't want a financial return but has other plans with the project), and
2) for me to be able to focus on the DXpedition logistics, rather than having to search for finances.

In case I manage to secure an exclusive sponsor for this project, it would obviously be favorable if this sponsor does not specifically seek a financial return. In the opposite scenario I will have to turn to the ham community, investigating what is feasible in terms of financial support.

The subsequent question: what financial support would you be able to pledge for this project? This is no formal request for funding, I am only asking for your intentions in order to assess the financial feasibility of the project - with the scenario outlined above.

The forecasted budget is put at 250,000 euro (+/- 310,000 USD), which is far less than a larger group operating for a shorter period of time would require. Furthermore, this is a generous forecast, I expect the final budget to ultimately be less.

In the last month I received donation pledges from individual DXers ranging from 15 to 3,400 euro. To give you an idea what would be needed to reach 250,000 euro: if each of the addressees on this list would pledge 55 euro (70 USD), Bouvet 2016 would be a fact.

This of course I can neither ask nor expect, it is just a Mathematical example of what is required financially.

Another important aspect to me is the transparency and control of funding. Every cent raised for this project will be registered through the non-profit organization 'Peter I - Antarctica Expedition 1994' (renamed 'Antennes zonder Grenzen - Antennes sans Frontieres' in 1995). This organization was formed in 1993 by Peter ON6TT, with the goal of transparent accountability for every cent spent on the 3Y0PI DXpedition - visible to the entire expedition team. Good accounts make good friends!

You will notice further below what my intentions are in regard to QSLing: I want people to be able to receive bureau cards, get instant LoTW, e-QSL and Club Log confirmation. This is important to me: I don't want youngsters and less fortunate radio hams having to pay for a QSO with Bouvet. Call me idealistic/philanthropic/ideological, but it does indeed matter to me.

With the upcoming of the 3Y0F-group, many of you may decide to put your bets on that project. However, in the event that the UN7PCZ-group withdraws its plans (it wouldn't be the first time a major DXpedition is cancelled), my Bouvet project will probably be the only one in many years to come.

Here is an excerpt of the operational plan:
- projected number of QSOs: 100,000
- QSL: bureau, direct, OQRS, in the way people want it
- log: daily uploads to LoTW, Club Log, e-QSL through proper satellite link
- all HF bands CW/SSB + RTTY on 2 or 3 bands
- antennas: verticals/inv-V's in various constellations and inv-L's will be the only manageable type of antennas that won't break down on Bouvet - with sufficient spares brought along
- radios and amps: I will take what I am comfortable with, well proven and sturdy radios and amps, three of each device
- 24/7 operation during 3 months (with adequate rest periods), mitigating the impact of the Antarctic black-outs known from past expeditions of shorter duration
- operator: one
- I already have several offers from QSL-managers for (free) QSLing (a decision on what to ask for OQRS has not been made; it should be as low cost as possible so everybody can enjoy this service)

I would highly appreciate your response within the next few weeks. By the end of this year I will make a decision whether or not to proceed with the project. In the event that I am not able to secure an exclusive sponsor and at the same time the projected sponsoring from within the ham community would be sufficient, it will be a challenging decision.

Regardless if you are able to foresee financial support to this project or not, I would appreciate if a lead or an introduction to a potential exclusive sponsor would be considered. It is still my favorable prospect for funding, and I thank you in advance for any assistance on that front.

For those of you who want to know more about me and my past endeavors:
http://www.on4ww.be/ON4WW.html

I hope this mail answers most of your questions upfront. Please have a thorough look at http://www.on4ww.be/bouvet2016.html, I believe you will notice that the project is well thought through.

Should you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to ask.

Thank you for your time and kind consideration.

73 de Mark, ON4WW
bouvet2016[@]telenet.be

[IK0ZCW]

UPDATE – It is getting close to ‘decision time’ whether or not the Bouvet project will go forward. I am amazed by the amount of funding intentions received from individual DXers and DX Foundations/Clubs alike.

As stated from the beginning, I will be very transparent about every aspect of this project, finances not being the least.

At this point in time, 112k euro out of the needed 250k euro are on the budget spreadsheet, this is exciting news!

The funding intentions from individual DXers range from 10,- USD to a staggering 100,000 USD (8,- EUR to 82,000 EUR).

Yes, there is an angel contributor willing to donate this much money to see the project succeed!

I am expecting the input of some of the DX Foundations, DX Clubs and other Amateur Radio related Institutions to reach me in the next few weeks. As such, I am postponing the deadline for a possible go ahead until the end of January 2015.

Some of you have raised a point of concern about two teams possibly activating Bouvet around the same time period. I have done my homework on this, and with all data at hand I see no reason to adjust my initial concept. In regard to possible funding for the two efforts, luckily for you, the deserving DXer and the DX Foundations/Clubs, there are mechanisms in place to determine the viability and success factors of both efforts.

The unique one-man effort over a 3 month time period, will undoubtedly show how this different approach will make more people happy (compared to a multi-operator team, short time period).

Have a closer look why.

It is in the scope of this project:

1. to work as many unique stations as possible;

Thanks to the 3 month time period, I will be able to work 1 or 2 specific bands exactly for this purpose. The very last interested QRPp station willing to work Bouvet and willing to put the necessary time and effort from his/her side into it, will be able to get in the log;

2. to work those stations that need Bouvet on certain bandslots/modes to achieve 9 band clean sweeps;

3. to provide SSB, CW and RTTY contacts for those needing certain modes.

For all audiences, I will have plenty of time. It will be the primary reason for me being on Bouvet, making radio contacts, as many as possible.

Whether or not there will be two DXpeditions activating Bouvet, all the target audiences (unique/9 band-ers/modes) will ultimately have a better shot with the 3 month concept.

For this approach to be successful, it needs one or two things.

- Club Log is a great asset to Amateur Radio. However, the ‘Leaderboard’ function will not be used;

- I will ask to those who alreadyhave Bouvet confirmed on certain bands/modes: only work Bouvet where you need it.

I am confident I can count on the fair play from the deserving DXers to just work Bouvet where they need it. Resulting in being able to work the pileups down to the very last QRPp or mobile station and at the same time making the 9 band hams reach their objective.

For those of you who would like to ,and are able to contribute to the project upfront, pse send an e-mail to “bouvet2016 ‘at’ telenet.be” with the amount you intend to donate.

Again, I do not want/need any money now, there is no PayPal account, it is just your funding intention I need to know at this point in time.

The final total on my spreadsheet will tell me whether to go ahead or not. A final thought: 112k out of 250k is not enough to go ahead.

Thank you to those who already stepped forward, much appreciated!

Wishing all of you a happy and healthy 2015, and may your logs be filled with wonderful DX

73 – Mark – ON4WW

[IK0ZCW]

Press Release 3

Dear DXers

Are you as excited as I am, being able to work K1N Navassa, the #2 Most Wanted Entity? What a thrill, and what a fine job the operators are doing under such difficult conditions! With already almost 23,000 unique callsigns in the log, there will be a lot of happy DX-campers!
With Navassa being activated, Bouvet Island will be #2 on the Most Wanted Entity list. Time for an update on my plans.

I was going to wait with an update until I visited the boat owner to hopefully finalize the financial matters and contract (within a few weeks, if there is sufficient funding).
However, a current discussion on Topband Reflector about DXpedition funding, has intrigued my interest and I would like to share this with you. Hence this pre-update.

As you know by now, for this specific one-man project I need to know upfront what financially is possible. Many of you, the deserving DXers, have responded graciously. Meaning, the Bouvet 2016 project is at 133,000 euro of the needed 250,000 euro. Waw, and thank you.

The following remarks on Topband Reflector intrigued my interest:
---quote
- Some of my friends go on these trips (three are on Navassa), and all of them complain that while EU hams are very demanding, they don't do much to contribute to the cost.
***followed by
- It appears to be the case that NA finances the big trips and EU gets the Q's. That needs to be ironed out.
***followed by
- Someone did a more extensive analysis of several DXpeditions maybe 2 or 3 years ago. Basically the same conclusion. Typically NA puts up the largest percentage of the funds but doesn't get that percentage in Q's.
***followed by
- (back and forth arguments from Europeans and North Americans, too long to put here)
***followed by
- The point that (yyy) is making, he did it very well, is that EU as a group should contribute more than what they are presently doing. And he is right.
***followed by
- The last time I saw numbers several years ago the US had something like 530,000 licensed hams which I think was more than all other countries together (or close to it). No way to know what percentage are DXers and possibly concerned with working a particular DXpedition. However, it might be more relevant if the percentages of financing were percentages of DXers that contributed. It may be still skewed of course.

***followed by a final and important remark (to silence this quite animated discussion) by my buddy Don, N1DG:

- "The number of US hams isn't the issue, it's the number of DXers working each DXpedition. And the better number to look at is uniques. My Dayton presentation is here:
www.ncdxf.org/misc/N1DG-DXpeditioncosts-Dayton2012.ppt

My NCDXF article is here on pages 5 through 7 :
http://www.ncdxf.org/newsletters/2012-AUTUMN.pdf

Since I did the research, NCDXF has received updated information from its grantees that has not changed the results presented."
---unquote

I had a closer look at the outstanding analysis Don made, especially the part on Southern Oceans (Bouvet!).
To everyone who hasn't read his analysis, it is important to understand the funding mechanisms behind the most difficult Most Wanted Entities, do read Don's analysis, please.

The following is quite an eye opener and -catcher of the PowerPoint presentation:

o Financial transparency rarely done on DXpeditions. It should be.
o If more of the ham community knew the costs and risks involved in big ticket DXpeditions fund raising might be easier.
o DX Foundations and Clubs can't continue to do all the heavy lifting.
o Not all DXpeditions are alike. One size does not fit all in donations.

Bullets 1, 3 and 4 are pertinent to the Bouvet 2016 project. Without having seen Don's presentation (until yesterday), I knew this was the way to go for my project:
1. Why on earth should I have secrets about YOUR finances (in case I couldn't find a single corporate sponsor)?
3. I tried to find a single sponsor outside the ham community, to try and get the financial burden away from the Foundations, Clubs and individual DXers. I failed so far, but I tried. Someone else will do better.
4. Why would Bouvet have to be done by a large group, if it can be done by one person? Is this written in stone? Not all DXpeditions are alike… indeed, they are not.

Bullet number 2 is addressed to most of us. And is somehow related to the discussion on Topband Reflector. Let's have a look at some of Don's figures.

For the Southern Oceans DXpeditions, 63% of the funding comes from team members. DX Foundations/Clubs make up for 25% of the funding, individual DXers 12%.
Of all QSOs made, 43% were by Europe, 36% by North America, 16% by Asia and 5% by the Rest of the World.

For the VP8ORK DXpedition, 80% of the funding came out of the USA (DXpeditioners, Foundations/Clubs, individual DXers). An impressive figure.
As the team members were mostly Americans, this partially explains the high number of 80% funding by USA (63% > team members).

There is an additional explanation, albeit also being partial. The donation to DX Foundations in the USA is Tax Deductible, and makes it more attractive to donate, compared to other countries where this system is not in place.
Personally, I do believe that indeed the Americans are donating proportionally more than other countries/continents. Mind you, this is a personal opinion, not backed up by facts (as Don says, DXpeditions should be more transparent. I have no means to verify whether the figures in the presentation are correct, neither can Don - these figures were handed over in good faith, and I base my assumption on that fact, thus being factually subjective).

There is no good or bad in this, whether the Americans donate more than others, or the Europeans donate less than others. Moreover, we have no objective means to verify who donates most. It is only the finance accountant of an expedition who has that information (I have been on two major DXpeditions, I have never seen the financial figures of those. This is no criticism, it is a fact).
We can and should be very grateful these DXpeditions take place thanks to the combined effort of DXpeditioners, DX Foundations/Clubs and individual DXers, in whatever gradation they are able to donate.
It gets ugly (as happened on Topband Reflector) when people get personal and start accusing each other across continents of 'this or that party not donating enough to my personal likings'.

Let me give you some of the Bouvet 2016 figures (not taking into account the $100,000 from the angel contributor).
The total number of individual DXers having given donation intentions so far, is made up by 51% European DXers, 42% North Americans, 3% by people from Asia and 4% by people from the Rest of the World.
The total amount of donation intentions is made up by 57% from Europe, 29% from North America, 2% Asia and 12% by the Rest of the World.

For the DX Foundations/Clubs: 43% are out of Europe, 57% out of North America. No Foundations/Clubs from other continents stepped forward.
The amount of donation intentions by Foundations/Clubs: 67% Europe, 33% North America.

If we combine the amounts of donation intentions made by both individual DXers and DX Foundations/Clubs: 60% Europe, 30% North America, 10% Rest of the World.

Perhaps a bit strange when you first look at it, this does not relate to Don's figures whatsoever. As always, there must be a reason. Here are some I can think of:
- for the one-man project there is no 63% paid by DXpedition members
- North American hams/Clubs tell me: we donate through the major DX Foundations, they will sponsor Bouvet 2016
- NCDXF has opted not to come forward (which takes away a big chunk of the North American support)
- I am a European (that is meant to be a joke!)
- (more clever people than me will find other reasons)…

To conclude:
- figures (and certainly percentages) can reveal a lot of stuff, one way or the other. In the end, it is the absolute figure that counts: is there enough money at hand to activate a 'rare one'?
- kindly stop the mud-wrestling about who is donating most. There are probably reasons beyond our knowledge as to why the figures are what they are. If we even know the real figures, at all.

One more thing about NCDXF. I knew if I had their support, others would follow suit. Bouvet 2016 would be a fact by now.
The reason given for not funding Bouvet 2016: it is the policy not to support one-man DXpeditions.
Fair enough of course, I can live with that, but it makes my endeavor incredibly more difficult. Probably to the point where the one-man concept comes to a halt.

For those of you who read Don's .pdf file: no way there will ever be a future expedition to Bouvet for less than the one-man project's budget of 280,000 USD (the dollar/euro rate keeps swinging, you may have seen another figure in the past). Count a minimum of 600,000 USD for a large group. Averaging 74,000 QSOs per DXpedition in the Southern Oceans (per Don's figures). My target: 100,000 Qs, with lots and lots of unique callsigns in the log. And lots of happy 9-banders as well. Propagation and other circumstances willing, I know I can make more than 100,000 QSOs. Substantially more.

I understand some of you still have reserves because of the safety of one man being on Bouvet. Believe me, I do have my limits in regard to safety (I would never board a space shuttle, never). For Bouvet, I have substantial logistical, medical and safety measures backup.

Some of you have reserves because there will be a large group going to Bouvet in 2016. So far I have not commented much on this, but as I get more and more people telling me "Too bad the 3Y0F DXpedition is at the same time", let me tell you this: there is no other group going to Bouvet in 2016. There are no operators nor funding for 3Y0F. I was hoping someone else would bring you this news, but as nobody has done so far, and as I feel it is hampering my endeavor, here it is. Perhaps Alex will succeed in another year, but not in the 2015-2016 time frame.

I received a radio license with a Bouvet callsign from the Norwegian Communications Agency. Perhaps a bit premature, but better early than not, I suppose. No, I will not yet tell you what the callsign is. I have my reasons to differ from my usual transparency policy.

When I listen to the K1N pileups (police and DQRMers), I ask myself: do you really want to go to Bouvet?
Yes. I envision fun for everyone, for 3 months. With or without the silly police and DQRMers.
For me it is all about fun (it is a hobby!), to give something back to the DX community (from which I received so much joy over the years) and activate Bouvet in the cheapest possible way, giving an opportunity to get as many unique DXers in the log as possible.

Unless another angel contributor shows up, or the Board of Directors of NCDXF changes its mind, this project may very well come to a halt under its current format.

I hope to bring some good news in the near future. In case not, as always there is a plan B (which you will also like). In case plan A and B fail, there is plan C: someone else will activate Bouvet, but not in 2016.

If you are able to, and would like to contribute to this project, kindly let me know your donation intentions via e-mail to: bouvet2016 'at' telenet.be (just the amount and your callsign).
(I suppose in nowadays terminology we can call this 'DXpedition Crowd Funding')
You don't have to pay now. Only if the project officially goes forward, a PayPal account will be opened. You will be informed whether or not the project goes forward.
For those of you who contacted me in the past and did not get a reply from me: please resend your mail (so far I have answered all e-mails).

73 - Mark - on4ww.
ps: I will not engage in a polemic about 'who donates most', the above is just for your info, not for further discussions

[IK0ZCW]

Announcement 9 May 2015

Dear DXer

Before sending out a press release, I wanted to share the following with those fellow hams who generously pledged to financially support the Bouvet Island "one-man three-month concept".

After press release #3, I was optimistic in terms of securing the required funding for my expedition. Thanks to so many of you, the necessary up-front expenses were getting close to being covered by the pledges received at that time. I was also hopeful that the larger DX associations and foundations would step forward to contribute as we were getting close to realization.

At this point in time, I have no other choice than to report that the funding is not sufficient to move forward. As I am sure you know, there are a number of large DXpeditions being arranged for late 2015 and early 2016, and they are more or less competing for the same resources. I didn't manage to create sufficient interest among potential external (non-ham) donors, and my one-man concept is of course somewhat controversial by nature. Though, I am still convinced that - even if my particular approach is not necessarily the solution - future DXpeditioning has to find other forms in order to remain sustainable.

After having received permission for Bouvet from NPI (Norwegian Polar Institute), my wife (!), my employer (5 months leave without pay) and getting close to the sufficient up-front funding (you), this is a bitter pill to swallow. But I am extremely grateful to all of you for having lived this dream with me. And not the least to my angel sponsor who kept things going.

As I stated from the beginning, don't be sad, someone else will activate Bouvet!

Thank you again for your enthusiasm and devotion to our wonderful hobby.

73 - Mark - ON4WW