Who: NØNJY/6Y5, KBØIRW/6Y5 (Rick and JoAnne Donaldson)
What: Jamaica DXPedition 2007
When: 12-14 October 2007
Where: Runaway Bay, Jamaica, West Indies
Why: For FUN! Island DXpedition (Celebrating our 30th wedding anniversary and 18 years as hams together!)
QSL: Home call (NØNJY)
Operational Times: APPROXIMATELY 17ØØ-21ØØ UTC on Friday and Saturday, and 17ØØ-2ØØØ on Sun
Frequency: Split frequency operation during operations hours on 14.19Ø +/-1Ø KHz, TX, Listening 14.2ØØ – 14.23Ø (+/- 1Ø KHz)
Equipment: ICOM IC-735, Alinco Power Supply, Home brew antenna (Pictures on blog site for equipment)
Blog site with much more information for comments, and QSL information etc is located at: http://jamaicadxpedition2007.blogspot.com/
Thanks everyone!
73,
Rick Donaldson
US Callsign NØNJY
Jamaica Call NØNJY/6Y5
05 October 2007
03 October 2007
QSO with N0NJY/6Y5 and QSLing with us
QSO with NØNJY/6Y5 - KBØIRW/6Y5
QSL cards:
Just wanted to let everyone know. We have not yet designed or created QSL Cards. We will do so when we return depending upon the number of QSOs we do.
Most likely we will have some photos done from the area, of the hotel or something cool to look at and have the cards made specifically for this trip only, when we return. We will QSL to anyone under certain circumstances.
All stations send QSLs to our home call. Mostly we will be using my call sign based on our spectrum privileges. So, QSL to my home address (check the FCC database).
1) If you're a US Station, send me a QSL card with your information, and an SASE.
2) If you're a foreign station, please provide return envelope for standard sized QSL card, and return postage!
3) SWL stations who wish to receive a QSL card, send a letter providing the following information, and a return envelope/postage to us at our home address:
A) Date, time and Frequency of the QSO
B) Station callsign with whom we are communicating (I will generally try to give their call for confirmation)
C) Provide details of your SWL station (type of radio, type of antenna)
D) Signal reports. Either use standard SINPO or RST codes - Both are fine, but provide this for my signal report
4) We will NOT use eQSO at this time since I am not currently set up to use it for this dxpedition and probably will not use it. Hard-cards are best for us and perhaps next time we will e-card.
We will be using split frequency operation at around 14190-14210 KHz during our operations. Please try to listen for where I am listening. I will vary the listening frequency slightly over the three days of operations. I will try to include everyone I can hear.
Portable and QRP stations will have priority. We will try to respond to everyone in the given amount of time. Please be aware we have some limitations on the times we may operate due to the location we are operating. The location is a sea-side bar, which is under a thatched roof and is in use in the evenings, but not during daylight hours. Thus, please do not be disappointed if we need to "go QRT" without catching you. Try the next day.
Please note we are not taking a computer for logging, it will all be done by hand (just like the Good Old Days!) so be calm and let's make this a fun DXpedition!
Good luck and good DX HUNTING!
Portable and QRP stations will have priority. We will try to respond to everyone in the given amount of time. Please be aware we have some limitations on the times we may operate due to the location we are operating. The location is a sea-side bar, which is under a thatched roof and is in use in the evenings, but not during daylight hours. Thus, please do not be disappointed if we need to "go QRT" without catching you. Try the next day.
Please note we are not taking a computer for logging, it will all be done by hand (just like the Good Old Days!) so be calm and let's make this a fun DXpedition!
Good luck and good DX HUNTING!
QSL cards:
Just wanted to let everyone know. We have not yet designed or created QSL Cards. We will do so when we return depending upon the number of QSOs we do.
Most likely we will have some photos done from the area, of the hotel or something cool to look at and have the cards made specifically for this trip only, when we return. We will QSL to anyone under certain circumstances.
All stations send QSLs to our home call. Mostly we will be using my call sign based on our spectrum privileges. So, QSL to my home address (check the FCC database).
1) If you're a US Station, send me a QSL card with your information, and an SASE.
2) If you're a foreign station, please provide return envelope for standard sized QSL card, and return postage!
3) SWL stations who wish to receive a QSL card, send a letter providing the following information, and a return envelope/postage to us at our home address:
A) Date, time and Frequency of the QSO
B) Station callsign with whom we are communicating (I will generally try to give their call for confirmation)
C) Provide details of your SWL station (type of radio, type of antenna)
D) Signal reports. Either use standard SINPO or RST codes - Both are fine, but provide this for my signal report
4) We will NOT use eQSO at this time since I am not currently set up to use it for this dxpedition and probably will not use it. Hard-cards are best for us and perhaps next time we will e-card.
Now for the GOOD NEWS
As of this moment, I have in my hands copies of our Jamaica Amateur Operator's license.
JoAnne's call sign will be KBØIRW/6Y5
Rick's call sign will be NØNJY/6Y5
We will be departing on 9 October 2007 from Colorado Springs, CO and should arrive sometime that evening in Montego Bay, Jamaica, West Indies.
Operating Dates will be Friday - Sunday, 12 October 2007 through 14 October 2007
Operating Times will be ROUGHLY from 1900 UTC through 2300 UTC depending on weather conditions, propagation conditions and how much we've had to drink... (just kidding)
Look for us somewhere around 14190 KHz, listening either up or down about 10KHz give or take (we'll let you know when we start calling CQ and on and off throughout the QSO).
Wish us luck, and know that we will be thinking of all of you while we're on the beach in Jamaica!
Best of 73 to each and everyone!
Rick Donaldson, NØNJY/6Y5
JoAnne Donaldson, KBØIRW/6Y5
JoAnne's call sign will be KBØIRW/6Y5
Rick's call sign will be NØNJY/6Y5
We will be departing on 9 October 2007 from Colorado Springs, CO and should arrive sometime that evening in Montego Bay, Jamaica, West Indies.
Operating Dates will be Friday - Sunday, 12 October 2007 through 14 October 2007
Operating Times will be ROUGHLY from 1900 UTC through 2300 UTC depending on weather conditions, propagation conditions and how much we've had to drink... (just kidding)
Look for us somewhere around 14190 KHz, listening either up or down about 10KHz give or take (we'll let you know when we start calling CQ and on and off throughout the QSO).
Wish us luck, and know that we will be thinking of all of you while we're on the beach in Jamaica!
Best of 73 to each and everyone!
Rick Donaldson, NØNJY/6Y5
JoAnne Donaldson, KBØIRW/6Y5
02 October 2007
More licensing information
Well, bad news.
I've just had several emails going back and forth with Jamaica Spectrum Management Authority. Although they have processed and mail our license, via registered mail, the US Postal Service seems unable to locate or deliver the information to us.
According to our friend, Nadine at SMA, the package was mailed on 17 September. I have found nothing in my mail box, and no one at the house has seen any registered deliveries, or pink slips in the mail box since I told them to keep their eyes open. They have been bringing the mail in like clockwork every day, and there has been nothing.
So, this morning I started the long, and idiotic process of trying to communicate with people who don't know what they are doing at the USPS. My assumption is they don't know what they are doing, because they told me that they can't look anything up without the "number". Not being specific myself, I asked the lady in Jamaica for "the registration number" (which is what the local postal person asked me for). She sent me a six digit number.
I dutifully called the USPS back and gave the number to the same lady I'd spoken to earlier. She said... "And...?"
I said, "And.. what?"
She asked, "Are there any letters?"
"No."
"Well, I need something in front of or in back of the number to do anything with it".
Apparently there is a prefix and/or a suffix -- what she was unsure of. It would seem to me that a tracking number is somehow associated with a name. Doesn't that seem somewhat reasonable to you? She said, "no, I can't use this number".
I guess their databases aren't as good as they think? Well, I've responded back to Ms. Nadine for more information and currently, the situation is looking pretty bleak.
Well, the bright side is, even if I can't transmit from Jamaica, I can always sit on the beach and drink rum. :)
Thought just occurred to me -- did they mail the package to my home in Colorado, or to the Hotel in Jamaica?!?!?!?! (Sent an email to that effect)
I've just had several emails going back and forth with Jamaica Spectrum Management Authority. Although they have processed and mail our license, via registered mail, the US Postal Service seems unable to locate or deliver the information to us.
According to our friend, Nadine at SMA, the package was mailed on 17 September. I have found nothing in my mail box, and no one at the house has seen any registered deliveries, or pink slips in the mail box since I told them to keep their eyes open. They have been bringing the mail in like clockwork every day, and there has been nothing.
So, this morning I started the long, and idiotic process of trying to communicate with people who don't know what they are doing at the USPS. My assumption is they don't know what they are doing, because they told me that they can't look anything up without the "number". Not being specific myself, I asked the lady in Jamaica for "the registration number" (which is what the local postal person asked me for). She sent me a six digit number.
I dutifully called the USPS back and gave the number to the same lady I'd spoken to earlier. She said... "And...?"
I said, "And.. what?"
She asked, "Are there any letters?"
"No."
"Well, I need something in front of or in back of the number to do anything with it".
Apparently there is a prefix and/or a suffix -- what she was unsure of. It would seem to me that a tracking number is somehow associated with a name. Doesn't that seem somewhat reasonable to you? She said, "no, I can't use this number".
I guess their databases aren't as good as they think? Well, I've responded back to Ms. Nadine for more information and currently, the situation is looking pretty bleak.
Well, the bright side is, even if I can't transmit from Jamaica, I can always sit on the beach and drink rum. :)
Thought just occurred to me -- did they mail the package to my home in Colorado, or to the Hotel in Jamaica?!?!?!?! (Sent an email to that effect)
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