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Jul 295 min read

C21MM - Nauru


C21MM Update (Sep 30)


In a few days, on October 7, the first six team members will leave Germany and plan to arrive on Nauru on October 10.



C21MM Update (Sep 11)


Less than 4 weeks to go. Team members DG2RON, DJ5IW, DJ7TO, DJ9KH, DK3CG, DK5WL, DL1KWK, DL2RNS, DL4SVA, DL6KAC, DL6KVA, DL7JOM, DL7VEE and DL8LAS are ready.We follow our main principles being light weight and cost effective. As always, only transceivers from Elecraft will be used. All equipment including antennas will be transported by the team members using “traditional luggage” partly oversized. However, this does not mean that we compromise on the antennas. For the high bands we are going to use our 2-element full size wire beam from LZ Antennas. That provides us with some dB more gain compared to a vertical. By using the LBS Pentaplexer we can operate 3 high bands together at the same time on this antenna.


As always, we follow our strategy to use resonant and full-size single band antennas on all bands (except 160 m). No grounded verticals will be used. Verticals with an elevated radial are even better for reception, also known as Up & Outer. This time we will carry two 22 m (72 feet) Spiderbeam fiberglass poles for 160 m & 80 m (compared to 18 m poles on our last DXpeditions). That is perfect for 80 m and an improvement for the top band as well. We will also bring the brand new 14-m-HD-fiberglass pole from Spiderbeam which gives us 2 m more height compared to the 12-m-HD-pole. This one is perfect for bands from 60 m and up. For low band receiving we plan BOGs. Jan, OK2ZAW (QRO.CZ), supported us with RX band filter boards for splitting one BOG to different receivers on different bands. For 40 & 30 m we try loops this time.We always use small band pass filters for each band between transceiver and amplifier and additional bigger band pass filters to the antennas.


We will run our proven shift system with radio and free time slots 24/7, ensuring that our experienced operators will have full concentration in their shift. 5 stations between 160 and 6 m in CW, SSB, RTTY and FT8 are planned. Starting with a first group of 6 men from October 10th only on high bands for few days. Second part of the group will arrive October 15.



C21MM Update (Aug 29)


To operate ham radio from Nauru has become extremely difficult, especially for larger groups. Our first attempt going to C2 started already in 2018. None of the mostly full booked hotels allow ham radio operation anymore. Additionally, it’s rather difficult to find a perfect ham radio location in the mountainous island.


Nauru is the least visited country in the world. The actual Most Wanted DXCC list on Club Log shows Nauru worldwide on rank 77 Mixed, in Phone on rank 48. In North America it ranks 113 (Phone 67) and in Western Europe Nauru ranks 38 Mixed (Phone 32). Since more than a year, Phill, C21TS, is doing an excellent job in FT8. He provides LoTW and paper QSLs via his manager. We will therefore try to focus more on CW on all bands from 160 m to 6 m as well as SSB and RTTY on several bands. Nevertheless, getting to the island proves rather difficult.Out of nowhere, Nauru Airlines cancelled all our confirmed flights due to a change in their flight schedule! As you can imagine, the last week was therefore rather stressful as the whole group with 14 OPs had to rearrange all flights incl. those from Europe to Australia as well as our accommodation.


These rearrangements produced unexpected additional costs of around 8,000 US-$. C21MM has already become the most expensive “light weight DXpedition” ever for us. We are grateful for the support we have received from individuals and foundations to date. However, these unexpected costs will put an additional burden on our pockets. We therefore hope to get special support from the DX Community to bring this rare DXCC country on the air. Apart from PayPal we also have other support options available. Please contact our QSL manager Georg, DL4SVA.


Despite this bad news we also have some positive things to share. We are in very productive negotiations with a promising QTH in the north of the island – with direct beach access and a clear take off to the north (Europe) as well as to the northeast (USA). Hopefully it will work.The new DXpedition period will be from October 10 to 29, 2024. That gives us the possibility to take part in the 2024 CQ WWDX SSB contest which takes place on October 26 & 27.



C21MM Update (Aug 10)


As a reminder: Our C21MM homepage has been online since October 28, 2024. In between we all got our visas for Nauru and Australia. On our way from Germany to Nauru there is an overnight stay in Brisbane.



Today we would like to give you some insights on our logo. If you try to find something typical for Nauru, you always come across phosphate mining, which is a story about colonialism and how fast wealth can fade away. This is what the excavator stands for.


However, there is still beautiful nature on the island like the endemic bird, the Nauru Reed Warbler which can be seen on the left side of the logo. We have to admit it’s a slightly beautified version of it. The original can be seen on one of the stamps of the small island:


To make the logo complete, the famous 5 band LZ beam is of course a must.


Thanks to Vincent, F4CVQ for the artwork of the logo and Fred, DH5FS, for the idea.



C21MM Update (Aug 04)


Operating frequencies


Please listen always to the instructions of the operators!



These are our new planned frequencies according to different regions' band plans and they are subject to change depending on the current band situation.We will only operate one station per band at same time.The MSHV program (up to 6 slots) is used for FT8 on the announced frequencies. We as DXP (fox) will not use the F/H mode and may also use the normal FT8 frequencies later.There is a possibility for using SuperFox-WSJT-X too.All hunters can call us in normal mode with locator/grid and stay on their frequency even for answering. Please do not call us on our transmission frequencies!All FT8 stations are manned. This enables an optimal selection of callers, e. G. for weak stations. The QSO will be logged on our side once we send RR73 or 73.


We try to upload our log daily. If in doubt, please work us again. No log corrections during the expedition.


We will work always split! Please avoid dupes!



C21MM (Jul 29)


Ops: DG2RON, DJ5IW, DJ7TO, DJ9KH, DK3CG, DK5WL, DL1KWK, DL2RNS, DL4SVA, DL6KAC, DL6KVA, DL7JOM, DL7VEE & DL8LAS


Bands: 6M - 160M


Modes: CW, SSB, RTTY & FT8


Qsl Info: See here for QSL details


Start Date - End Date: Oct. 11 - Oct. 27




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