Dear DXer
Before sending out a press release, I wanted to share the following with those fellow hams who generously pledged to financially support the Bouvet Island "one-man three-month concept".
After press release #3, I was optimistic in terms of securing the required funding for my expedition. Thanks to so many of you, the necessary up-front expenses were getting close to being covered by the pledges received at that time. I was also hopeful that the larger DX associations and foundations would step forward to contribute as we were getting close to realization.
At this point in time, I have no other choice than to report that the funding is not sufficient to move forward. As I am sure you know, there are a number of large DXpeditions being arranged for late 2015 and early 2016, and they are more or less competing for the same resources. I didn't manage to create sufficient interest among potential external (non-ham) donors, and my one-man concept is of course somewhat controversial by nature. Though, I am still convinced that - even if my particular approach is not necessarily the solution - future DXpeditioning has to find other forms in order to remain sustainable.
After having received permission for Bouvet from NPI (Norwegian Polar Institute), my wife (!), my employer (5 months leave without pay) and getting close to the sufficient up-front funding (you), this is a bitter pill to swallow. But I am extremely grateful to all of you for having lived this dream with me. And not the least to my angel sponsor who kept things going.
As I stated from the beginning, don't be sad, someone else will activate Bouvet!
Thank you again for your enthusiasm and devotion to our wonderful hobby.
73 - Mark - ON4WW
