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Clarification of the German DX Foundation Rwanda DXpedition
13-20 February 2008

Antonio Gonzalez, EA5RM released an announcement to the press on 16
February 2008 with the title "Disappointment with the operation of
DJ6SI, DK2WV and DJ9ZB from Rwanda", in which he heavily criticized
the operation from 13-20 February 2008 of the President of the GDXF,
Franz Langner, DJ9ZB/9X0Z, GDXF member Baldur Drobnica, DJ6SI/9X0X and
Karl Ilg, DK2WV/9X0W. EA5RM, the team leader of the planned March
2008 DXpedition 9X0R, accused the German DXpeditioners of pulling
their DXpedition forward into February, due to their knowledge of the
timing of the planned multinational DXpedition. In addition, he
accused them of only being able to acquire their licenses due to the
preparation he had done in advance with the responsible authorities in
Rwanda. Finally, the press announcement then called for a boycott of
the German DXpedition.

EA5RM points out that he was involved for 6 months in acquiring a
license. Indeed, DJ6SI had already placed his first applications for
a 9X license on 24 September 2002 and 28 November 2002, then an
additional application on 10 December 2002, due to a change in
responsibilities at a new government authority. In a letter dated 23
January 2003, more specific details were requested on the planned
location and equipment. In March 2003, DJ6SI contacted the German
Ambassador to Rwanda. A reply was received on 23 May 2003 that a
license will be issued in the near future when the expected legal
basis has been set. DJ9ZB received notice on 31 March 2006 that the
RURA (Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Agency) postponed the matter on
issuance of amateur radio licenses. After a lot of further
correspondence in the years 2004 and 2005, a new license application,
this time including DJ9ZB, was submitted to the authorities in Kigali.
DJ9ZB discussed the situation on 1 October 2007 with Rwanda's
Ambassador to Germany in Berlin. On 23 October 2007, the final answer
was received "Once on ground (Rwanda) you will get the license as
requested". This communication came from Col. Diogene Mudenge,
9X1AA, Vice-Chairman of Regulatory Board and Acting Director General
of the RURA. At this point, DK2WV was included as the RTTY operator.
Due to timing conflicts of the three participants, the only window of
opportunity was possible in February. These details clearly prove the
priority of the German DXpediton, without any advance preparation by a
third party.

The GXDF maintains that the allegations are absolutely unfounded that
its President did not act as a gentleman and broke the rules of the
ham spirit. Over many years and a number of joint DXpeditions, DJ0ZB
and DJ6SI have won high recognition by DXers across the world. It is
now up to EA5RM to rethink his untenable statements.


March 1, 2008

Franz Langner, DJ9ZB, GDXF-President
Dr. Lutz D. Schmadel, DK8UH, GDXF-Secretary

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VE3LYC/VO2 and VO2/G3OCA will be on Finger Hill Island, NA-194 and
Paul Island, NA-205 in Newfoundland, Canada July 30-August 4. One of
these groups was activated 13 years ago and the other one 14 years
ago, their only activations. QSL via VE3LYC direct or bureau. UK
stations may QSL via G3OCA.

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This morning at sunrise, our position was 16 24N 111 20 W, approximately 380 nautical miles from Clipperton Atoll. We are expecting to be at the island early in the morning on March 5th. When we arrive at Clipperton, we will circle the island and look for any possible indication that there might be human activity there. If there is, we will need to determine what type of activity is going on. Over the years there have been a variety of reports of the island being used for illicit purposes. But mostly the island is visited from time to time by fisherman and boaters that happen to land.

Most importantly is the level of the surf at the several possible landing spots that we have in mind. We are anxious to attempt a landing near the north part of the island. We want to set up our primary dx antennas on the north shore so we can be in a position to most effectively cover Europe where Clipperton is high on the most wanted list. North America, Oceania and Asia will be easy paths from most spots on the island, so positioning is not as critical. From the usual landing spot, it is a 2 kilometer trek to the north shore under the blazing sun and we want to limit the distance we have to carry our equipment and the time it will take to set up the north shore operating camp. We are planning on making our base camp at Bougaimville where all previous dxpeditions have set up. It is the only place on the island with trees that will provide shade from the hot tropical sun.

Our journey thus far has been pleasant. We've spent the last several days working on our operating schedules, preparing our equipment for loading on the zodiacs, considering the best spots on the island to position our antennas, working on various projects on our computers and sometimes just laying around in the warm south pacific sun. The seas have been very calm and the weather has been ideal. We have been operating as FO5A/mm and have made 4,577 contacts thus far. We've been operating primarily on 20 meters during the day, and 40 meters at night. Our operating position has been active from 5am to 11pm so please try to work us.