ZCZC AE45
QST de W1AW
DX Bulletin 45 ARLD045
From ARRL Headquarters
Newington CT November 8, 2001
To all radio amateurs
SB DX ARL ARLD045
ARLD045 IOTA DXpedition to Ducie island
The Pitcairn Island Amateur Radio Association has filed an application for membership in the International Amateur Radio Union. The IARU decision is due November 15. IARU membership would result in the addition of Ducie island to the ARRL DXCC list. Anticipating the activation of a ''new one,'' PIARA will embark on a DXpedition to Ducie island, IOTA OC-182. The group will use a VP6 call sign, to be announced, and plans to be operational at 0000z November 16. PIARA president Tom Christian, VP6TC, will lead the DXpedition.
Other DXpedition members are VP6DB, JA1BK/VP6BK, JA1SLS/VP6BB, JF1IST, JA1SLS, K9AJ, K5VT and FO3HO. The pilot station is Bill Avery, K6GNX, and QSL manager is Garth Hamilton, VE3HO.
Ducie Island is located 360 kilometers from Henderson Island, the nearest land. It is the easternmost atoll in the Oceania, and rarely visited. Because of ecological concerns, only one group may be on the island at one time.