Djibouti J20DX IOTA DXpedition operators Col McGowan, MM0NDX; Jonathan Bowes, MM0OKG, and Christian Cabre, EA3NT, have thrown in the towel on their efforts to operate from two infrequently activated African islands — Moucha Island (AF-053) and the very rare Sept-Frères (AF-059). Their J20DX operation was set to run from April 16 – April 21, but McGowan’s and Bowe’s radio equipment was impounded by customs upon their arrival at the airport, despite the fact that Cabre had cleared customs smoothly 2 days earlier. The team had “official radio licenses being issued by Djibouti Telecom” permitting them to operate radio without any conditions, they reported on the J20DX website.
The operators were told that the Djibouti security agency would make a decision on whether they could obtain necessary authorization to retrieve their equipment, but time wore on along with official inertia. Due to time constraints, the delay quashed plans to activate AF-059.
“Nobody is more disappointed about that than us,” they said on their website Wednesday, expressing optimism that they would still be able to be active from Moucha or Maskali Island AF-053 and remain until Friday evening or Saturday morning. “Of course, this depends on the aforementioned bags being released by custom officials,” they added.
Still without all their gear, on April 18, they made the crossing to Moucha Island, picked a location to set up, and immediately assembled antennas for 20, 17, and 15 meters.
“Literally 5 minutes before the first CQ from AF-053, we received a phone call from National Security saying signatures were needed for the authorization letter to permit us to collect our impounded gear,” the J20DX team recounted. “This same letter would also allow us to depart Djibouti without any more issues at airport customs. However, we had to return to the mainland to get the letter.”
With the weekend in Djibouti being Friday and Saturday, this Thursday would be their last chance to obtain the important authorization letter prior to heading home. “Before we had even started, teardown began. Yes, we left the island 2 hours after arriving. AF-053 is now also cancelled,” they announced.
Upon reaching the National Security offices, the team said, unfortunately, “no authorization letter [was] to be seen.”
Source:ARRL
Review
Warrantless Search Of Ham Radio Operators? No Fourth Amendment Rights?
Responding to comments and recent videos here on Youtube. Is there a big threat to amatuer radio operators fourth amendment rights? Are we opening out... Read more
Baofeng UV-9R TP 18-watt Power Testing | UV9R Plus HT
Baofeng UV-9R TP 18-watt HT Ham Radio Unboxing and power testing – let’s see if this 18-watt HT does what it is advertised to do! Read more
ACOM – Manufacturers Showcase
ACOM team to discuss the latest amplifier technology. Tune in and ask the team questions. Read more
Ham Radio vs CB
Ham Radio vs CB, Citizen’s Band Radio – Ham Radio compared to CB frequencies and modes – which ones is better? Today let’s tal... Read more
News
Quantum Receiver Can Detect Huge Swath of the RF Spectrum
US Army researchers have built a so-called “quantum sensor,” which can analyze the full RF spectrum and real-world signals, a report on Physics.org sa... Read more
Approaches to Tackle Noise Problems Vary, Remedies Elusive
RF noise is a frequent discussion topic among radio amateurs. A proliferation of electronics has cluttered and complicated the noise environment; it’s... Read more
ARISS, NASA, and ESA Continue to Probe Amateur Radio Problems on ISS
Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) International Chair Frank Bauer, KA3HDO, reports that the ARISS team has been working closely... Read more
Yaesu FT-DX10 HF Transceiver – Is it Right for You?
We take a look at one of the most recent HF transceivers to come onto the ham radio market. Could this be the new FT-101E that was one of the best sel... Read more
Digital Modes
FT8DMC 3rd Anniversary-Activity Days 2020
To commemorate our 3rd anniversary, special event stations will be on air during the FT8DMC Activity Days from 1. to 31. July 2020. All stations will... Read more
Propagation
The K7RA Solar Update
Tad Cook, K7RA, Seattle, reports: We saw one day during the February 25 – March 3 reporting week — Monday, March 1 — with no sunspots, so the average... Read more
A direct hit! The solarstorm our Sun launched is confirmed to be Earth-directed!
A direct hit! The #solarstorm our #Sun launched is confirmed to be Earth-directed! NASA prediction models show impact early February 23. Because Earth... Read more
App - Mobile
SmartSDR for iOS v2.1.0 Now Available
FlexRadio Systems announces the release of SmartSDR for iOS v2.1.0 is now available for download or update from the Apple App Store. This App requires... Read more
Introduction to SmartSDR for iOS
Welcome to SmartSDR for iOS written by Marcus DL8MRE. This is an introduction video that allows you full control and access of your Flex 6000 series r... Read more
RUMlogNG2Go for iOS version 3.3 now available
Thomas Lindner, DL2RUM, is happy to announce the availability of version 3.3 of his RUMlogNG2Go logger for the iPhone and iPad. RUMlogNG2Go can be do... Read more
Look4Sat: Radio satellite tracker – APP
Ham radio and weather satellite tracker and passes predictor inspired by Gpredict Main features: – Calculating satellite passes for up to one week (16... Read more