Amateur Radio Expedition to Whale Island This Week

Frank May writes "

During November a small number (six or seven members) of the NZART branch 33 (Rotorua) are to go to Whale Island off New Zealand for some DX activity. The dates planned for the DX expedition are as follows:


23-26 November 2001. Operations will be on all HF bands and will take place over the weekend NZ local time (which is GMT +12h --Ed.). Activity will initially be CW and SSB on most HF IOTA frequencies. Activity will also be on the local Rotorua repeater of 144.350 MHz FM and when time permits the New Zealand UHF National System when time. Other frequencies especially on HF may be also be worked for possible appearance in this contest.



As for the weather, the long range forecast is looking good for the short sea journey across to the island this Friday afternoon New Zealand Time. Fingers are crossed that it stays that way for the duration of the visit.



The location of Whale Island is in the Bay of Plenty which is the coastline North East of the centre of the North Island. Whakatane being the nearest town. Whale island is small island located some 8 km off shore from Whakatane in a North-Westerly direction. It should not be confused with the active volcano of White Island, a much larger neighbouring island to the East.




Whale Island is presently managed by New Zealand’s own Department of Conservation and access to the island is very limited with strict controls for any who may be lucky enough to be allowed a short visit.




Being an IOTA island of interest, it is hoped that this expedition will generate many contacts for the amateurs who will be participating. The special callsign of ZL6WI has been allocated for use, and it is hoped that the IOTA committee would give consideration to an unique reference number.



Members of the expedition will be interested in making contacts with as many amateurs as possible and we are hoping for favourable HF propagation conditions to enable other rare DX on remote islands to be worked this weekend.



QSL Manager is ZL1ANH



More news to follow after the event."