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UPDATED JULY 2008 S21BI IOTA AS-140 activity |
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On-line Log QSL
Information eQSL design EI3IO
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Dave EI3IO and Manju S21AM operated
from NL52JE - Kulsum Bag, Charfasson,
Char Dakhin Shahbazpur (Bhola Island) AS-140 (eighth most wanted IOTA reference
in Asia), from the 4 - 7 February 2005. Whilst planning the DXpedition at the end of last year the
devastating earthquake and Tsunami hit the region. The death toll from this
disaster now exceeds 270,000 persons. Bhola island has also suffered in recent history. On 13
November 1970 the Bhola cyclone and tidal wave
occurred. The casualties on Bhola island alone may
have exceeded 100,000 with the town of This is why in the published QSL information we asked everyone
to send a minimum of US$2, with their direct QSL cards. This would have
permitted us to provide a minimum of US$1 per QSL, to support victims of the
disaster. The results were both gratifying and disappointing. From direct QSL
requests received from over 300 stations, we are able to donate EUR 265. See
the receipt from the One year on, the majority of direct QSLs
will now have been received. Some operators have donated as much as US$15;
many thanks to all those who actively supported our efforts. To those who
have not yet sent their direct cards, or those that did not read the original
QSL information and did not send an extra $1 and to those that intend to use
the bureau or Logbook of the World, we simply ask that you to donate at least
US$1 to a local charity supporting Tsunami victims. Turning then to the DXpedition
itself. After arrival at Bhola town early 4 February, a 2 hour drive took us to
the S21BI QTH, the headquarters of Coast Trust on Bhola
Island. More time was expended on
antennas than expected, however we were QRV at 12.10 UTC, on schedule prior
to local sunset. Final QRT was at 09.46 UTC, 7 February with ON5NT the last
station in the log. We arrived back in Dhaka early 8 February. CW and SSB
were used, however only one station at a time could be operated because of
EMC difficulties. We were also plagued by electrical power problems. The
mains supply was noisy, failed often and the reserve generator on-site was
even noisier, nevertheless some good QSOs with S21BI QSL information via EI3IO Thanks must go to S21K for
providing us with fantastic facilities at Coast
Trust. Also the staff and visitors made us feel really welcome. The BTRC
were extremely helpful with providing a suitable licence, our thanks to the
Bangladesh regulatory body. We used the EI5DI logging program which is easy
to use and free! Visit the site here. The
ADI files from logging were exported and combined in EA6VQ’s LogVQ,
which was used to print the labels for QSL cards. LogVQ
also provided the statistical information. Lastly some administrative
information. Our licence can be viewed here;
our ‘launch’ ticket from Bhola back to PLEASE ALSO NOTE - EI3IO IS
NOT THE QSL MANAGER FOR ANY OTHER S21 STATION! |