2009 Results Pascal Contest Cayley Contest Fermat Contest 2009 ...
Contest DXpeditions
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Transcript of Contest DXpeditions
Brian McGinness, N3OC
Contest DXpeditions
Why go on a contest expedition?
The “thrill” of being DX
Bigger pileups and bigger scores Rates can be up to 300 per hour!
A larger contribution to the
Club score
Why go on a contest expedition?
Combining a contest with a vacationBring the XYL
Meeting new friends
Promote ham radio in other countriesYou contribute to their tourism industry
Where to go on a contest expedition?
Avoid very rare DX locations for a good score
Choose a location with good propagation Islands, beachfront QTHs, not too far from USA
Choose a location with a good scoring potential Know the scoring rules for your particular contest!
Choose a convenient location Is it easy to travel to? Is an existing station available?
Where to go on a contest expedition?
Choose an inexpensive location There are some deals out there!
Find a ham-friendly location
Choose a winning location If you want to win!
CQWW winners: P4, PJ2, 9Y, IH9, CN, EA8, D4
Licensing in DX Locations
Three methods of securing a license to operate from a foreign country:
• C.E.P.T Licensing
• I.A.R.P./CITEL
Licensing
• Visitor’s License
C.E.P.T. Licensing
CEPT is an acronym for the
European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations
There are currently 46 member countries.
C.E.P.T. Licensing
CEPT provides for automatic reciprocal licensing with countries that are parties to the agreement when
traveling in member countries
Member countries can be found at:http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/regulations/io/cept-list.html
C.E.P.T. Licensing – Documents Required
You need three documents to operate in a CEPT member country
1. Your original US ham license
2. Proof of US citizenship (passport)
3. A copy of FCC Notice DA99-2344
I.A.R.P./CITEL Licensing
An IARP is an International Amateur Radio PermitIARPs are issued by the ARRL for US hams
CITEL is the Inter-American Telecommunications Commission
CITEL member countries are LU, PY, VE, YS, HP, CE, 9Y, CX and YV (and the USA)
Visitor’s License
• Sometimes done in advance, sometimes best done
in person
• Local information required
• A local contact is very helpful
• You get your own callsign, instead of a “stroker”
• May make entry in a country with radio gear easier
Visitor’s License
More information is available online:
http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/regulations/io/recip-country.html
What Equipment Should I Bring?
Depending on the QTH, you may or not need to bring rigs and amps
You will usually need to bring a laptop for logging
What Equipment Should I Bring?
You may need tools if you anticipate doing any
work while you are there.
Tools are heavy to take on the
airplane!
What Equipment Should I Bring?
• Antennas
• Accessories and power supplies
• Know the local voltage requirements
Traveling with Radio Gear
Antennas
• Consider shipping antennas in advance• Choose antennas that travel well:
DK9SQ or MFJ fiberglass masts for wire verticals
Sportube hard ski case
Cut yagis into short sections that fit in ski case
Traveling With Radio Gear
• Pack gear in unmarked hard cases
Having the cases unmarked reduces the chance of theft and the likelihood the customs official will want to look at
it!
Pictured are Pelican and Cabbage hard cases
Traveling With Radio Gear
• The TSA will x-ray your baggage and will most likely want to hand-search the ones containing radio gear
• Pack things in such a way to make this hand-search as easy as possible for them, and include a copy of
your US ham license with the gear
Use bags and plastic containers to group similar items together
Traveling With Radio Gear
• On your arrival, you will have to go through local customs (except FS/PJ7, KP4 & KP2)
• Have copies of your ham licenses packed with all gear, preferably including a local
license if you have one
Traveling With Radio Gear
• On your return to the US, you will have to go through US Customs
• Generally, they will not search your radio gear but may ask questions about it. Be prepared
to show your US ham radio license
Planning Your Contest DXpedition
• Plan well in advance
• Set up an email reflector with your team
• Consider insurance and medical needs
• Safety – have a plan if someone gets hurt!
• On-air schedules with first arrivals in case items are forgotten
Where to Get More Information
• Club members with travel experience
• Web resources
http://www.dxholiday.com
This Presentation is dedicated toSteve Affens, K3SA / ZF2SA
who became a silent key whileon a contest expedition.