Luigi, IV3XNF will be in Lebanon from May to October, 2012 to take part in the UNIFIL mission.While housed at a military base, he will attempt to do a little radio work when schedules are compatible. Luigi will be active on QRP with the call OD5/IV3XNF/QRP with a YAESU FT-817ND radio, carolina windom 80 special (80-10m) antenna or an EFHW (maybe a fishing pole). He’ll also bring along a Notebook PC, prefers CW and DIGI.

QSL direct.

Photo credits by flickr:Bundeswehr-Fotos Wir.Dienen.Deutschland.

He informed us that he’s currently operating from 30 to 10 meters on CW and PSK every afternoon and evening. Check out the pictures below that he sent us.He’ll be taking along a K3 and a few homemade antennas, more than likely verticals or dipoles, space permitting, at the operating site.

In the first week of May he will be operating along with David, 5X1D (KH9AE), who helped him obtain the necessary license.

QSL via F8DFP, bureau or direct.

More info on the personal blog: http://j28ro.blogspot.it/

Matteo Napolitano, T77NM
President

Nazzareno Carattoni,  T77NC
Vice-President

Giovanni Cecchetti, T77CD
Secretary

Giancarlo Montico, T77WI
Treasurer

Giorgio Minguzzi, IZ4AKS
IARU Liaison Officer

The ARRSM assembly would like to thank former President Giuliano Giacomoni, T77J and former Vice-President Antonio Ceccoli, T77C for their valuable contribution to the life of the Association of Radio Amateurs of the Republic of San Marino during the last 30 years.

Giovanni Checchetti, T77CD
Secretary

********************************************

QSL via IK2VUC , OQRS , LOTW.

Do look forward to meeting him on HF bands and remember to follow the DX Code of Conduct.

QSL via Home Call, check here for updated info

Photo credits: E40VB

Our editorial staff continues to dig deeper into the World of DX, where in the last few months, at least here in Italy, the failed DXpedition to Mali has not gone unnoticed. Well, we could be talking about a real lost opportunity for those that truly follow DXpeditions, even when  it’s not really the rarest country.  Mali finds it’s place right at position 100 in the  Most Wanted Countries 2011 special classification (clublog.org).

The TZ5T DXpedition, was organized by friends of the Italian Dxpedition Team.  This experienced all Italian group of top-notch operators (I2YSB, IK2CIO, IK2CKR, IK2DIA e IK2HKT) was supposed to take main stage from the 12th to the 27th of last April.

On 5 March we reported the difficult situation created in Mali on our web pages http://www.dxcoffee.com/ita/2012/03/07/tz5t-mali-italian-dxpedition-team/, so much so difficult that a military coup on 22 March overthrew President Amadou Toumani Touré; while in the north, the advance of Tuareg rebels brought a declaration of independence to the region of Azawad.

The International Community, thanks to mediation by the  Econonic Organization of West African States (ECOWAS), reached an agreement in April to form a transition government led by parlamential President Dioncounda Traoré. On 17 April the appointment of Cheick Modibo Diarra to Prime Minister was announced, President of Microsoft Africa and founder  of the Rassemblement Pour le Développement du Mali (Alliance for the Development of Mali).

In the meantime, junta leaders agreed to restore power to the new civil authorities;  MNLA has proclaimed the independence of Azawad, the region to the north, with specific reference to the principle of self-government of the people, more precisely that the “new state” respect the borders of neighboring countries, the United Nations and that it be governed according to democratic principles.

This declaration of independence of Azawad is anything but conclusive.  The situation in the north of Mali is anything but clear.  The MNLA has also affirmed its own self-determination and has declared as it’s sole objective the achievement of autonomy from the central government, but as such, the representation of this movement would seem somewhat less clear to the affected population.

If all this is meant to be, this could spell the creation of a new Country for DXCC!

But the real problem is that all of this does nothing more than to undermine an already tenable situation for the population in an impoverished area. In fact, circumstances are anything but difficult in addressing the plight of some 200,000 refugees, the majority of which are in  parts of  Niger and Mauritania.

At least for the moment it would seem impossible to see an impending activation from Mali on the part of an international team.  And it is assumed that the situation will not change; the prefix TZ, will certainly end up on the 100 Most Wanted Countries List.

Radio activity aside,  one thing remains above all else, that all is resolved for the ultimate benefit of the people of  Mali.

Sources: Limes / Reuters

Photo credits by flickr:emilio labrador.

QSL via GM4FDM, direct or via the bureau.

Photo credits by flickr: Jason@Dynamicmoment.

Spots so far indicate activity on 80, 40, 20, 15 and 6 meters. For special award rules see the HB9OK website. Further information is also available by searching HB100FLP at QRZ.com .

____________________

QSL via HB9OCR or via the bureau

Title photo by patrick h. lauke

If you’ve been following Mike from one prefix to the next, you won’t be surprised to learn that his next DX travels take him to Malawi (7Q7) and the Maldives (8Q7).

QSL direct or through the bureau

Photo by ipeterson

Due to the recent activation of Somalia by the 6O0CW group, the Intrepid-DX Group has decided to cancel our previously announced plans to conduct a Dxpedition in November, 2012 as 6O3A. We feel that the need for 6O contacts has been sufficiently diminished to make it worth-while to continue with our plans.

In the coming days, we will refund 100% of all donations made to us. We hope to make other rare activations for 2013.

Our friend, Darko Rusman, E70A continues to hold the 6O3A license and will be active from time to time from Somaliland.