Kerala IOTA Activation

We’re just a few days away from our operation at Sacrifice Rock, and we’re excited to share the final details with you.

Schedule: February 7-10, 2025

Grid Locator: MK71sl

Location: 11.49390° N, 75.52950° E

Frequencies and Propagation: All the details you need are now live on our website. Thank you to everyone who contributed to making this happen!

Equipment Update: We’re grateful for the support we’ve received so far, and we’ve updated our equipment list accordingly. However, we’re still short of high-power bandpass filters and amplifiers. Time is running out, but we’re pushing forward with the resources we have.

A huge thank you to all the individuals, foundations, and sponsors who have backed us. Your support means the world!

If you’d like to contribute, our PayPal address is sarath@lven.in. Our Website: https://vu2rs.com/au2v or http://au2v.vu2rs.com

Looking forward to catching you all on air!

Thanks & Regards

Sara, VU2RS

E-mail: sara@vu2rs.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Sacrifice Rock IOTA AS-161 Expedition Update: OQRS Fee Revised to $5

30th January 2025 – In response to requests from several foundations and the IOTA Committee, the Sacrifice Rock IOTA AS-161 expedition team is pleased to announce that the Online QSL Request System (OQRS) fee has been revised from $10 to $5.

This revision is effective immediately, and the team would like to thank all the foundations and individuals who have supported this decision. The reduced OQRS fee will help make it more accessible for amateur radio operators to request QSL cards.

Please note that all payments received so far will be acknowledged, and the list will be shared with our QSL Manager, Charles, M0OXO. Those who have already made payments do not need to make another payment for OQRS.

The team is grateful for the support received so far, which is helping us move forward with the expedition.

Additionally, we have uploaded exclusive videos from Sacrifice Rock, taken by Adersh (VU3WEW) during his reconnaissance trip on January 29, 2025. These videos provide a glimpse into the challenges and beauty of the island.

For more information, please visit our website: https://vu2rs.com/au2v

Contact:
Sarath, VU2RS

On January 29, 2025, Adersh (VU3WEW) visited Sacrifice Rock IOTA AS-161 to make final arrangements before our team departs to the Rock. This reconnaissance trip has given us a firsthand look at the challenges that lie ahead.

Watch these exclusive videos to understand why Sacrifice Rock IOTA AS-161 is considered one of the toughest Dxpeditions:

These videos showcase the rugged terrain, harsh weather conditions, and logistical complexities that our team will face during the expedition.

Despite these challenges, our team is committed to activating Sacrifice Rock IOTA AS-161 and making it possible for amateur radio operators around the world to make contact with this rare and elusive entity.

Stay tuned for updates from our expedition, and get ready to join us on this exciting adventure!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Hyderabad, 28th January 2025– The Sacrifice Rock IOTA AS-161 expedition team is thrilled to announce that they have received the official callsign AU2V from the Wireless Planning and Coordination (WPC) authority,Government of India.  

The team consists of experienced amateur radio operators, including Sara (VU2RS), Adersh (VU3WEW), Anil (VU3DXA), Sangeeth (VU2TT), Grisih (VU3GDS), and Renju (VU3TPW). The expedition’s QSL Manager is Charles, M0OXO.

The team has set up a website https://vu2rs.com/au2v to provide updates and information on the expedition. Donations to support the expedition can be made by Paypal at sarath@lven.in.

Despite receiving some generous donations and assurances of support from foundations, the team is still short of funds to purchase necessary equipment and accessories for the expedition. The team expresses its gratitude to the individuals and organizations that have contributed so far and looks forward to receiving the promised support after the expedition.

For more information, please visit the expedition’s website or contact Sarath at sara@vu2rs.com alternative email: vu2rs.in@gmail.com

Thanks & Regards

Sara, VU2RS

Sacrifice Rock IOTA is excited to announce the reactivation of our operations, made possible by the generous support of our prime sponsor, Wimo. We are grateful for their contribution of amplifiers and essential tools, which will not only aid in this IOTA activation but also in future expeditions undertaken by our group.

We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB) for their unwavering support, which is crucial to our mission of enhancing communication and connectivity. Your generosity has played a significant role in making this reactivation possible.

Additionally, we appreciate the contributions from RF DXing, a respected Indian antenna manufacturer, for providing us with state-of-the-art 6m-10m beam antennas and 40-6m cobweb antennas. We also thank Spiderbeam for supplying fiberglass poles, which are essential for our setup.

As we gear up for this exciting expedition, we recognize that we still need some critical items to ensure our success. Currently, we are seeking high-quality band pass filters, and a large generator to enhance our operational capabilities. Time is of the essence, and we are committed to making the most of this opportunity.

For those interested in supporting our efforts, we would like to clarify our donation process:

1. Donations made for Logbook of the World (LOTW) will be tracked through a Google form, with a link provided for transparency.
2. For advance Online QSL Requests (OQRS), we will also utilize a Google form to streamline the process and avoid any additional payments.

We understand that many foundations have requested the revival of OQRS, and while support may be received after the expeditions, your advance contributions to OQRS and LOTW are invaluable. Your generous support will directly assist us in procuring the necessary items for our expedition preparations.

We will provide periodic updates on all donations on our website: [https://vu2rs.com/au2v](https://vu2rs.com/au2v). For any inquiries, please do not hesitate to reach out to us at sara@vu2rs.com. Our Paypal: sarath@lven.in

Our team is dedicated to activating all IOTA and DXpeditions in India in due course and according to our timeline. All material support will be acknowledged until the supported materials are exhausted, and all items will be stored in a central location for easy access.

Thank you for your continued support as we embark on this exciting journey!

Date: 18th January 2025

Dear DXers/ IOTA Chasers

Breaking News for DX/IOTA Chasers!

We’re thrilled to announce that our recent boot camp near Sacrifice Rock, Kozhikode, has yielded promising results for 80m and 160m propagation!

Inspired by these findings, we’ve decided to set up a dedicated station for 80m and 160m, complete with receive and transmit antennas. This will provide a unique opportunity for those seeking VU on 160/80m!

We Need Your Support!

To make this endeavor a success, we rely on your individual contributions. Please visit our website and make a payment via PayPal. All donations will be acknowledged and updated on our website.

Express LOTW Available!

For a nominal fee of $5, we’ll provide Quick LOTW. To facilitate this, please:

1. Make the payment
2. Fill out the Google Form: https://forms.gle/fHszs9XKu5nuP5xP8

This will enable us to keep track of your request and ensure a smooth process.

Logistical Update

We’re excited to announce that the first batch of essential materials has been dispatched from Hyderabad to Kozhikode! This shipment includes:

– Band-pass filters
– Amplifiers
– Power cables
– Generators
– Various other critical items

Our team is working tirelessly to ensure that everything is in place for a successful activation.

Current Donations Update

We’re grateful to have received confirmation of $420 from foundations, which we’ll receive post-expedition. Additionally, individual donors have generously contributed $1200, with $1100 received in INR. Please note that we incur an 8% loss on every payment, which is deducted from the total amount credited to our Indian account.

Your Support Matters!

We urge you to support our efforts and help make this expedition a success. Every contribution counts, and we’re grateful for your kindness.

Stay tuned for further updates, and let’s work together to make this IOTA activation unforgettable!

Thanks & Regards

Sarath, VU2RS & Team

15th January 2025

Dear Fellow IOTA Chasers,

I hope this message finds you well. As you may know, our team has been working tirelessly to activate Sacrifice Rock, AS-161, a rare and highly sought-after IOTA. However, we’re facing a critical challenge that threatens the success of our project.

Despite our efforts, we’ve been unable to secure significant funding from major DX foundations. This has left us with a substantial shortfall, and we’re now relying on the support of the IOTA community to make this activation a reality.

That’s where you come in. We urgently need your help to cover the costs of equipment, logistics, and contingency planning. Every contribution, no matter how small, counts. We’re offering free OQRS to anyone who donates $10 or more.

Our team still needs to purchase essential items, such as high-power generators, amplifiers, band-pass filters, and more. Additionally, we’re facing uncertainty with our boat transportation due to the fishing season, and we may need to opt for helicopter services as a contingency.

I know that many of you share our passion for IOTA activations and understand the significance of Sacrifice Rock. That’s why I’m appealing to you directly. Please consider supporting our project with a donation. You can find more details on our website: https://vu2rs.com/au2v , and you can donate via PayPal: sarath@lven.in.

I want to thank you in advance for your support. Together, we can make this activation a success and bring AS-161 to the airwaves.

Best regards,

Sarath, VU2RS

Team Leader, Sacrifice Rock AS-161 IOTA Activation

After the resounding successes of our previous activations at Nachugunta, Kanika, and Sagar, our team is thrilled to announce our most ambitious project yet: activating the highly coveted Sacrifice Rock, AS-161, part of the Kerala IOTA group in India. This rare entity has long been a “holy grail” for IOTA enthusiasts, and we’re eager to bring it to life.

The challenges of activating Sacrifice Rock are well-known: treacherous terrain, inhospitable environment, and substantial costs. However, our team is committed to overcoming these obstacles and delivering this unique opportunity to the amateur radio community.

The estimated cost of this project is approximately $10,000, which will cover essential expenses such as:

– Additional generators and equipment

– Lightweight, portable tents and tables

– A holding boat and 24/7 safety team

– Band-pass filters, amplifiers, and reception antennas to combat high noise levels

– Fuel for the boat and generators

– Ensuring continuous power supply and refueling

We’ve received informal approval from local authorities and officials, and we’re awaiting formal confirmation. Once we receive the green light, we’ll announce the callsign and other details.

Our team of experienced operators is ready to take on the challenge. We have two CW operators and four SSB/digital operators, ensuring that we can run three stations simultaneously, if permitted, or two stations round the clock. Our team members are:

– Sara, VU2RS

– Adersh, VU3WEW

– Sangeeth, VU2TT

– Anil, VU3DXA

– Renju, VU3TPW

– Girish, VU3GDS

We’ll be using a range of antennas, including a 40-6m beam, 6 and 10m beam, and verticals, to ensure maximum coverage and efficiency.

We urge all IOTA chasers and DXers to support this expedition, which promises to be an unforgettable experience. Tentative dates are set for the second week of February, and Charles, M0OXO, will be our QSL manager.

Stay tuned for updates, and get ready to join us on this thrilling adventure!Welcome to WordPress. This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start writing!