News from the Intrepid DX Group VP8STI/VP8SGI Team
At this time, we would like to announce several new aspects of the VP8STI/VP8SGI Dxpeditions:
Youth & Community Participation
Since the early 1990’s, the Intrepid DX-Group's leadership, David (K3LP), Paul (N6PSE) and other team members, have led our effort to incorporate "Youth Development and Community Involvement" in our Amateur Radio DXpeditions. Those included were the ET3AA Addis Abba University in 2011, 3D2R Rotuma Youth Project in 2011, Dorothy Grant Elementary School Amateur Radio Club (K6DGE) and School Students in 2010-present, YI9PSE Iraq, T33C Banaba, ST0R S. Sudan in 2013, XZ1J Myanmar in 2013, 8P6R in 2005, 3D2DC in 2004, VU3RWO in 2006, J6R, J6/K3LP in 1997-2003, A61AF Dubai Men's College/A61AJ 1996-1998 and many others.
During the South Sandwich and South Georgia Island DXpedition, our Honorary School this trip is the trusted Dorothy Grant Elementary School in Fontana, CA. Teacher Beverly Matheson's (WA6BK) 4th Grade Class students have prepared a DGES Flag that will travel to and from the islands. In addition, the students have prepared a small weather tracking experiment for the DXpedition to participate. We hope to continue to ignite the interest of these students in Amateur Radio.
Dxpedition Pilot Program:
Our regional Dxpedition Pilot Program will be led by experienced Dxpeditioner Antonio Gonzalez-EA5RM. Antonio will communicate with each of our regional Pilot stations to ensure that we are satisfying the needs of the global DX Community and that we are aware of propagation and other issues. Our regional Pilots are as follows:
EU/Chief Pilot-EA5RM Antonio Gonzalez
US East Coast-W2IRT-Peter Dougherty
US West Coast-AA6G Chuck Vaughn
JA/Asia-JR4OZR Harumi Kukita
VK/ZL & Oceania-VK4MA Paul Richards.
You can contact them via our website by clicking on their photograph on the main page of our website.
Our pilots are entrusted to help us meet your needs as best as they can. Our pilots will not have access to our logs and all logging issues will be addressed by our QSL Manager following the conclusion of both activations.
At this time, all plans are moving forward and we expect to be QRV on January 17 as VP8STI.
Please watch for updates and announcements in The Daily DX, DX-World, DX Coffee and DXNews.com.
Thank you,
Paul N6PSE
Co-Leader, VP8 Team