June 15th update
Arrangements for our next operation to Juan de Nova island are ongoing. We began the logistic operations by conditioning part of the equipment which will be implemented and we finalize some partnerships to supplement our equipment by taking into consideration the imposed constraints. Today, Juan de Nova comes 6th in the ClubLog Most Wanted DXCC listing but, after all major operations planned at the end of the year/early 2016, the island should be the 3rd most wanted DXCC, just behind the North Korea and Crozet !
One month after the announcement of the operation, we started to contact associations, clubs and foundations in order to help us to collect the necessary budget. This year particularly, this phase promises to be a true marathon, especially with the many other expeditions in the same time window. Right now, about a dozen sponsors already responded positively as well as sixty individual donators. We sincerely thank all these structures and their members for their generosity and their assistance, essential in this kind of adventure.
On June 12th, the NCDXF (Northern California DX Foundation) notified to us that a major contribution of 25,000$ has been granted to our operation. For 42 years, the NCDXF has contributed to finance expeditions in the rarest regions and make possible ambitious projects. We want to sincerely thank the NCDXF, its members and contributors who make DX operations possible.
This important help is a great step ahead for our team and we hope that other good surprises will follow. At the present time, we are far to have reached the necessary budget. The expenses this year are very important. Although we are very vigilant on each euro spent, there are costs like taxes, transport which remain incompressible and it will be necessary to support them in one way or another, while trying not to cut down on the quantity of equipment that we hope to set-up.
We invite each DXer or sympathizer to visit our website and make a donation through the Paypal option. We are conscious that many of you will not hesitate to take part to the collective effort, sometimes during the operation or afterwards. In this kind of adventure, the major part of the expenses has to be paid before the departure; then, why wait until the last moment ?
Let us remind you that for any donation higher or equal to 25$/€ the QSL card will be automatically sent to your home address after the operation. It is our manner of thanking you for having contributed personally to the project.
Most of the team will be at the International Amateur Radio Exhibition of Friedrichshafen (Germany). We will be available to answer your questions and to take into account your remarks and suggestions.