SPRATLY ISLANDS(1S0,9M4.etc) --SOON TOO HOT FOR DX?

N2SR · Sep 20, 2014

G3OOK said: ↑

I was part of the last two operations from Spratly as 9M4SLL which took place from the Malaysian island of Layang-Layang (aka Swallow Reef). From August 7th 2012, along with Steve, ex-9M6DXX now PJ4DX, we made 18227 Qs in 6 days using SSB, CW and RTTY. We didn't sleep much

A bigger group, 9M6DXX, 9M6XRO, 9V1YC, G3BJ, HA5AO, HA5UK, KM0O and N6MUF made 43716 Qs in 8 days starting on March 18th 2013 using SSB, CW and RTTY again using the call 9M4SLL. The two operations made a combined tally of 61943 Qs including 1300+ on Top Band.

73 & Good DXing - John - 9M6XRO
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Yes, I worked you guys a few times to fill in some band/mode countries. Thought I worked you guys on 40, but NIL.

Thank you for your and everyone's efforts to put Spratley on the air for the deserving.

Tom, N2SR

W1YW · Sep 22, 2014

G3OOK said: ↑

I was part of the last two operations from Spratly as 9M4SLL which took place from the Malaysian island of Layang-Layang (aka Swallow Reef). From August 7th 2012, along with Steve, ex-9M6DXX now PJ4DX, we made 18227 Qs in 6 days using SSB, CW and RTTY. We didn't sleep much

A bigger group, 9M6DXX, 9M6XRO, 9V1YC, G3BJ, HA5AO, HA5UK, KM0O and N6MUF made 43716 Qs in 8 days starting on March 18th 2013 using SSB, CW and RTTY again using the call 9M4SLL. The two operations made a combined tally of 61943 Qs including 1300+ on Top Band.

By far, the biggest hurdle to overcome in operating from Layang-Layang is obtaining permission from the Malaysian National Security Council (MKN) in Kuala Lumpur. This can be be time consuming and deliberation includes background checks on all visitors. No amateur radio permits were granted for several years until about 2008 when applications began to be looked on more favorably.

BTW the 9M4SLL license was issued to the Borneo Amateur Radio Club (Steve and I are life members). In Malaysia the 9M4 prefix is basically for special event stations which can be located in West Malaysia (9M2), East Malaysia (9M6 or 9M8) or in this case Spratly. For the second operation we requested a 9M0 call but this was not approved by MARTS in Kuala Lumpur, as I understand it. A 9M0 call (9M0L) was actually issued to another group in 2012 and various individuals have received permission to operate 9M6/home call and even 9M2/home call from Spratly so it all appears rather arbitrary.

In all cases these operations took place from the diving resort (http://www.avillionlayanglayang.com). There is no alternative operating location on Layang-Layang - all visitors must stay at the resort which does have excellent facilities. One limitation is that the resort is only open from March to August each year - the prime diving season.

Any Spratly operation will always be affected by the political situation and in some islands of the chain there is potentially real danger to the operators. As already mentioned on this thread, a Filipino group is planning a DXpedition to Pag-asa in the Spratly chain in early 2014 and I understand from a friend at Layang-Layang that a big DXpedition is planned around the same time frame from the 9M side so those of you still needing Spratly might get a nice surprise in the Spring.

Maybe the headline "Soon Too Hot for DX" might be a bit premature - but you never can tell - recently local 9M6 hams were refused permission to activate several lighthouses (some on islands off the coast) on security grounds. Whether this will extend to Layang-Layang remains to be seen.

73 & Good DXing - John - 9M6XRO
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Thanks for that terrific summary John.

I posed that as a question that I hope is answered in the negative---one hopes that political solutions will allow reasonable access for all countries in that area, without resorting to blood for oil.

73,
Chip W1YW

SPRATLY ISLANDS(1S0,9M4.etc) --SOON TOO HOT FOR DX?

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