This page is designed to inform you of my plans, the objectives of the trip and timetable of DXpedition. I hope that the posting of the latest news, operation plans and frequencies will help you make it into the log!

If you would like to give me your comments or feedback, please send e-mail to [email protected]

I will update VP6BR News Page with latest information on the progress of the DXpedition.

I will start my DXpedition to Pitcairn Island in January 2000 to celebrate my 40 year long Amateur Radio career. The goal is to give the DX community a maximum number of VP6 contacts on all ten amateur bands from 6 to 160 meters on CW, SSB and RTTY. Pitcairn Island, VP6, stands at position 52 on the 425 DX Bulletin 1998 Most wanted list. With the recent DXpeditions its actual position would be closer to 30.

The call sign to be used has been confirmed as VP6BR. QSL via home call OH2BR.

Apart from cruise ships too expensive for a DXer´s budget, Pitcairn Island is linked to the rest of the world by P&O cargo ships travelling between Auckland, New Zealand, and Eastern U.S.A or Europe. These ships visit Pitcairn every three or four months supplying the islanders with everything they cannot produce themselves. The transportation to Pitcairn will be confirmed by the shipping company only one week before the ship´s estimated departure from Auckland. This makes it impossible to publish any accurate information on the starting date of the DXpedition at this time.

The equipment to be used consists of YAESU FT-1000MP (if the airline gives it a "free ride"), ICOM IC-706MkII as a spare rig normally used only on 6m, a factory prototype of the new remote controlled automatic ACOM 1kW linear amplifier covering all bands from 6m to 160m, triband and duoband yagis for 10 to 20 meter bands and vertical antennas for the low bands. The intention is to leave the antennas for the pitcairners and thefore are still to be defined pending support from the manufacturers and DX foundations. Two 2 kW generators and 1400 liters of gasoline fuel are planned for maximum reliability of power supply. The islands diesel generator cannot be used as a power supply for a DXpedition as it is available only for a few hours in the morning and evening times. The islanders are depending on a few long wire antennas so a serious DXer has to take his own antennas with him. Any beam antennas would probably be destroyed by salt water environment in a few years time.

Donations are welcomed to cover the high costs of extra equipment, transportation, generator and gasoline expenses.

The address is: Jukka Heikinheimo, PO Box 37, FI-01361 VANTAA, FINLAND

I will be hosted by Tom and Betty Christian , VP6TC and VP6YL. The operation site is the VP6PAC club site up on the flat top of the hill providing 360 degrees view for LP openings and lots of room for LF vertical radials.

For 6m enthusiasts: the UK Six Meter Group (UKSMG) has decided to donate a 5 element yagi to the Pitcairn hams. This beam will be shipped to Auckland, NZ, and will be used by VP6BR during his DXpedition. Thereafter the beam will be left in Pitcairn for use by Pitcairn hams.

For the IOTA enthusiasts: side trips to the rare IOTA Henderson and Ducie islands may be considered if there is enough interest from the IOTA community and the local conditions warrant such mini-DXpeditions. The islanders might visit Henderson to collect the miro wood for their carvings but Ducie is too far for their longboat. A fishing vessel should be chartered for a trip to Ducie.

73 and DX de Jukka OH2BR (VP6BR) [email protected]