View Full Version : AFRI75 IRTS 75th Jubilee Dxpedition 2007
g4tut
12-27-2006, 10:58 AM
AFRI75 IRTS 75th Jubilee Dxpedition 2007
This is a DXpedition to Swaziland between 16th March and 30th March 2007 to celebrate the 75th Jubilee of the Irish Radio Transmitters Society.
The DXpedition will be QRV for St Patrick's Day and for CQ WPX. Callsigns in use will be published as soon as available. The expedition leader is IRTS vice president Paul Martin EI2CA.
A private newsgroup for this DXpedition is available at
http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/AFRI75/. Admision to this group is by request only and is at the discretion of the group moderators
So far, the members signed up for the expedition are:
Peter EI7CC
Aidan EI8CE
Paddy EI8BFB
David EI4DJ (GI4FUM)
Rory EI4DJB
Brendan EI3GV
Pete GI4VIV
Paul EI2CA
Skeds may be requested to any expedition member
David EI4DJ / GI4FUM
david@gi4fum.net
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I guess if one is silly enough to spend time on a "DXpedition", Swaziland is a good place to go to spend time holed up in the ham shack. Mingling with the natives is certainly not recommended; unless one is HIV positive anyway. Be careful fellows, and stay with your equipment.
Hope you fellows do get out and meet the natives and have a wonderful time in what I've heard is a beautiful and interesting country. Never been that far south in Africa but would love to see it sometime.
Also hope that the Society has 75th anniversary events in Ireland. Given the current state of the cycle it's a bit of a stretch to hit 3DA from the States. But my best wishes on the celebration. Erin go bragh.
Quote[/b] (k5co @ Dec. 27 2006,08:20)]I guess if one is silly enough to spend time on a "DXpedition", Swaziland is a good place to go to spend time holed up in the ham shack. Mingling with the natives is certainly not recommended; unless one is HIV positive anyway. Be careful fellows, and stay with your equipment.
Geez, you make it sound like a prison sentence...beats the hell out of "wake up, go to work, stop at McDonalds...again, watch TV, go to sleep, rinse, repeat".
I am a DXer and i appreciate their efforts, i doubt they will be having sex with the natives or sharing heroin needles...and im sure they will be experiencing the country. more than what i will likely be doing in that time period. Im sure the folks of Swaziland are just fine and likely more curious about ham radio than most Americans these days...and watching their gear? they arent going to inner city Detroit or North Las Vegas.
If i had the chance to go, i would just be "silly" enough.
73...Adam, N7YA
WA5BEN
12-28-2006, 02:52 AM
Quote[/b] (N7YA @ Dec. 27 2006,14:58)]Quote[/b] (k5co @ Dec. 27 2006,08:20)]I guess if one is silly enough to spend time on a "DXpedition", Swaziland is a good place to go to spend time holed up in the ham shack. Mingling with the natives is certainly not recommended; unless one is HIV positive anyway. Be careful fellows, and stay with your equipment.
Geez, you make it sound like a prison sentence...beats the hell out of "wake up, go to work, stop at McDonalds...again, watch TV, go to sleep, rinse, repeat".
I am a DXer and i appreciate their efforts, i doubt they will be having sex with the natives or sharing heroin needles...and im sure they will be experiencing the country. more than what i will likely be doing in that time period. Im sure the folks of Swaziland are just fine and likely more curious about ham radio than most Americans these days...and watching their gear? they arent going to inner city Detroit or North Las Vegas.
If i had the chance to go, i would just be "silly" enough.
73...Adam, N7YA
It amazes me how those who have not traveled appear to "know" about various countries. I have spent several weeks to several months at a time in 38 countries on 5 continents. If I added all of my visits to some of them into one "lump", it would add up to more than a year. In every country, I found something of beauty -- and, usually, it was the people.
Yes, I know there are dangers (perhaps better than most, as I worked with Intelligence and military organizations). I know how to avoid being a target -- and what to do if I mess up and become one. I also know how to interact with the local population, so that I can experience the PEOPLE of the country -- who truly ARE the country -- as opposed to the tourists and business people in the 5 star hotel.
So, me hearty Lads, Good DX ! (There's a wee bit o' the Irish in my blood.)
73
N7PLC
12-28-2006, 02:54 AM
Dont forget the green beer!
Residing in a part of the country where a dxpedition may be to the neighboring county, it doesn't surprise me someone would make a post like that. I hope they have fun and I really hope I get to talk to them. I have my request into the "home" make a wish foundation for a trip somewhere exotic with my humble ham gear for a two week hiatis from the humdrum of everyday life to talk to everyone. ;)
But, alas, it may never happen so for those that can, thanks. Can't wait to talk to you and put you in my log. :blush:
Would you send your friends into the highest per capita concentration of AIDs in the world and not forewarn them? Usually, I have to wonder what kind of Dork would go to a beautiful island and sit inside a shelter playing with radios with a gorgeous beach outside. But Swaziland? Stay indoors, make lots of DX QSO and be safe. And keep one eye on your equipment at all times. Facts are facts; I've been there.
I guess the "dorks" are ones who care enough about the hobby to want to make thousands of people happy with a nice contact. #Beaches you can find anywhere. #Of course I once dragged my wife off to Albania because it seemed like a neat place, and not everybody might have that opinion (I loved the trip, she tolerated it).
I'm sure the Irish group is quite aware of the health situation, and will use good sense on that as well as protecting their equipment, just like anybody does who travels a lot. (You can get ripped off in Europe or America too.) #And perhaps going there will bring some positive attention to a country that needs help.
I guess the bottom line is, if you think a DXpedition is a waste, ignore it. #Same with traveling to exotic spots. #Personally, after seeing many of both, I'd rather go to another 3rd World Country than a usual tourist spot any day, sit down with the people and learn something, but again that's my opinion.
wd4ptj
12-28-2006, 08:12 PM
Quote[/b] (k5co @ Dec. 28 2006,08:11)]Would you send your friends into the highest per capita concentration of AIDs in the world and not forewarn them? Usually, I have to wonder what kind of Dork would go to a beautiful island and sit inside a shelter playing with radios with a gorgeous beach outside. But Swaziland? Stay indoors, make lots of DX QSO and be safe. And keep one eye on your equipment at all times. Facts are facts; I've been there.
It is clear that you think dxpeditions are silly and a waste of time and that only dorks would do them. #I #have to ask this though. Why do you bother to look at this topic let alone post something about it. #It was clear from the topic heading that this was about an dxpedition. #If you are not interested in dxpeditions and think they are sillly why read this let alone post something about it. #UNLESS #you are only trying to stir up something. I remember seeing you post comments before about how silly dxpeditions are. #If you don't like chasing DX and working dxpeditions then fine. Do what ever you enjoy within ham radio but do put those of us who work DX and apprecate those who go on a dxpedition down. #I can never undestand those that want to put down what others enjoy if it does not directly bother them in some way. #Maybe you are the one who does not have a life except to put down othes.
Quote[/b] (k5co @ Dec. 27 2006,11:20)]I guess if one is silly enough to spend time on a "DXpedition", Swaziland is a good place to go to spend time holed up in the ham shack. Mingling with the natives is certainly not recommended; unless one is HIV positive anyway. Be careful fellows, and stay with your equipment.
Sounds like a TYPICAL answer from a ragchewer who probably has fun splattering all over a RARE DX station......
Quote[/b] (ad2h @ Dec. 28 2006,07:50)]Residing in a part of the country where a dxpedition may be to the neighboring county, it doesn't surprise me someone would make a post like that. #I hope they have fun and I really hope I get to talk to them. #I have my request into the "home" make a wish foundation for a trip somewhere exotic with my humble ham gear for a two #week hiatis from the humdrum of everyday life to talk to everyone. #;)
But, alas, it may never happen so for those that can, thanks. #Can't wait to talk to you and put you in my log. #:blush:
Yep, typical of a 5lander ragchewer..... We hear em every day. I cannot count the times the 5landers walked over the VU7 station..... I guess when you are too old to do nothing except talk about your aches and pains to ol George down the road a ways, rag chewing is the thing to do. Weather reports and medications are the major topics they have. Ye gads.. They have ham radio, DONT THEY HAVE THE WEATHER CHANNEL??
Quote[/b] (k5co @ Dec. 28 2006,08:11)]Would you send your friends into the highest per capita concentration of AIDs in the world and not forewarn them? Usually, I have to wonder what kind of Dork would go to a beautiful island and sit inside a shelter playing with radios with a gorgeous beach outside. But Swaziland? Stay indoors, make lots of DX QSO and be safe. And keep one eye on your equipment at all times. Facts are facts; I've been there.
As i have stated before, i dont think they are going there to have sex with the natives, share needles or get blood transfusions. They will likely be with their gear the whole time. They are going because its an experience, its what they WANT to do and I am one of many who appreciate it (whether i can reach them or not).
It sounds like you went there for a military or unpleasant job experience. either way, you dont have to work them, they have made the decision and are going regardless of what you think...nobody is "sending" them, as i suspect was the case with you. I also am quite sure they are aware of the health situation there as another poster pointed out.
But it doesnt really matter, this is QRZ, the most friendly post in the world with the best of intentions will bring out negative people who will find something wrong with every little thing....THATS what i have to wonder about.
73...Adam, N7YA
....but hey, look at it this way, you DID get us all to respond to you.
Quote[/b] (k5co @ Dec. 28 2006,15:11)]I have to wonder what kind of Dork would go to a beautiful island and sit inside a shelter playing with radios with a gorgeous beach outside.
I'm the "dork" in which you speak of.
Almost 41,000 total combined QSO's made from Martinique & Montserrat..........Never went to the beach once while in either place.
Some people like swimming at the beach, others like sitting in a hot & humid 10' x 10' room working 200+ stations per hour for weeks at the time.
To each their own.
Tom kcØw
Quote[/b] (KC0W @ Dec. 28 2006,17:16)]Quote[/b] (k5co @ Dec. 28 2006,15:11)]I have to wonder what kind of Dork would go to a beautiful island and sit inside a shelter playing with radios with a gorgeous beach outside.
I'm the "dork" in which you speak of.
Almost 41,000 total combined QSO's made from Martinique & Montserrat..........Never went to the beach once while in either place.
Some people like swimming at the beach, others like sitting in a hot & humid 10' x 10' room working 200+ stations per hour for weeks at the time.
To each their own.
# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # Tom kcØw
I, for one, appreciate your qso's Tom. I look forward to your next trip...maybe i can make the trip with you one of these times.
73...Adam, N7YA