Welcome to the OH2BH 50th Birthday Celebration!
Namibia in a nutshell. Sometimes it is amazing how DXCC can be way ahead of world developments. South-west Africa (ZS3)
was another DX land long before its formal independence. Back in 1966 the United Nations terminated South Africa's mandate over
the region and it was named Namibia. But it was not until 1989 that ZS troops withdrew from Namibia followed by the adoption of itīs Constitution
in July 1990. A new country (V51) was born but for the Deserving it was just a continuation from the ZS3.
But DX types were smarter than that.
Some ZS islands were left off the coast of Namibia. Now, with Namibia gaining independence, those islands became another DXCC entity. Penguin Islands
were born. Our group decided to head out to Penguin, visit the capital Windhoek, see thew Walvis Bay and finally cross the Namibia desert and diamond
fields on hour way to the island. During our visit to Namibia for an extendedweekend, some 8000 QSOs were made signing V51Z.
Many of the new countries in Africa have very limited prospects for continued success. Namibia is a lot different.
It is a highly functional society with a solid infrastucture in place. The people are happy and hard working. It seems that Namibia will indeed succeed.
We can only wish God's blessings to the people living in that vast desert - mining for diamonds, lead, copper and other goodies.
It was largely thanks to the efforts of Derek, V51DM and Rudy, V51W and their staff at Electro-Com that the success of this operation was ensured.
We are also pleased with the hospitality extended to us suffering DXpeditioners by Derek's familly.