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FO0AAA is QRV from Clipperton Island

A map showing the location of Clipperton Island. [Clipperton 2000 DXpedition Web site]

NEWINGTON, CT, Mar 2, 2000--Following some delays because of heavy rain and high winds, the 2000 DXpedition to Clipperton Island now is on the air a day late as FO0AAA. The "triple A" call sign had been kept secret until the team landed, set up, and hit the airwaves. The secrecy was to prevent problems with pirate operations.

As it turned out, FO0AAA started attracting huge pileups as soon as it put out the first call just after midnight UTC today. On 20-meter SSB (14195 kHz), operator John Kennon, N7CQQ, told another station that the team confronted a "monsoon" the day it arrived off Clipperton. "It was really miserable," he said. Even under the best of conditions, landing on the island is considered tricky and potentially dangerous because of the normally high surf conditions.

Clipperton Island, a French possession, is located some 1600 miles south-southeast of San Diego, California, and about the same distance west of Nicaragua. Clipperton is number 36 on the 1999 DXCC Most Wanted List.

FO0AAA Operating Frequencies

BAND

SSB

CW

RTTY

6

50115

50115

-

10

28475

28025

28080

12

24945

24895

-

15

21295

21025

21080

17

18145

18075

-

20

14195

14025

14080

30

-

10106

-

40

7065

7005

-

80

3799

3505

-

160

-

1828.5

-

The team is running multiple stations on HF through 6 meters--including the so-called WARC bands--and on SSB and CW, it is working split at all times, usually listening up. Stations seeking to work FO0AAA are advised to avoid calling on the DXpedition's transmitting frequency and to follow to the operator's instructions as to where he's listening. The Clipperton team was equipped to have three CW, three SSB and one full-time RTTY position on the air at all times. A list of planned operating frequencies is available on the DXpedition's Web site (list of HF and 6-meter frequencies is reproduced below; frequencies are approximate). The team also will try to use the AO-10, RS-13, UO-14, AO-27, and SO-35 satellites. Operation is scheduled to continue through March 9.

Operators include Eddie Stark EA3NY; Willy Rüsch, HB9AHL; Koji Fukui, JK7TKE; Bob Allphin, K4UEE; Doug Faunt, N6TQS; John Kennon, N7CQQ; Mike Goode, N9NS; Jim Mornar N9TK; Charlie Hansen, N0TT; Mark Demeuleneere, ON4WW; Doug Renwick, VE5RA; and James Brooks, 9V1YC. At least two of the same ops were with the FO0CI DXpedition in 1992.

For more information, visit the Clipperton 2000 DXpedition Web Site.

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Next: California Ham Hopes to be Oldest Round-the-World Solo Sailor