AU2RS - Nachugunta

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Radio Amateurs members of the QRZ India DX Team will be active Nachugunta Island, IOTA AS - 199, Vijayawada, India, 23 - 25 February 2024.
They will operate on HF Bands, CW, SSB, FT8 and QO - 100 satellite.
QSL via M0OXO, OQRS.
About QRZ India DX Team: The QRZ India DX Team is a group of dedicated amateur radio operators with extensive experience in organizing and participating in IOTA activations. Committed to fostering a sense of community, communication and innovation, the team strives to contribute to the rich tapestry of Amateur Radio and Island On The Air activities.

About Nachugunta Island: Nachugunta breathtaking tropical island, situated in the Bay of Bengal, Indian Ocean has unique geographic and ecological features. The island boasts more than ten vegetation zones, making it ecologically rich and diverse. Mangrove forests, adapted to saline conditions, play a crucial role in preserving coastal ecosystems. Nachugunta is moderately inhabited, with a mean population density of 122 individuals per km². Despite its natural beauty, the island lacks a public airport, with the nearest airport located in Vijayawada, 76 km away. Additionally, there are no major ports on Nachugunta.

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Information from Charles, M0OXO:
QRZ INDIA DX TEAM ANNOUNCES
IOTA-ISLAND ON THE AIR ACTIVITY: AS-199 NACHUGUNTA, Vijayawada, India

Warm greetings on Republic Dayof India from DX Team of QRZ India!
QRZ India DX Team, a passionate group of 15 experienced amateur radio enthusiasts, is thrilled to announce their upcoming IOTA (Island On The Air) re-activation on Nachugunta Island (AS-199). The event is scheduled to take place from February 23rd to February 25th, 2024.
The QRZ India DX Team is committed to creating a memorable and pioneering experience for the global amateur radio community. The team will operate from the picturesque Nachugunta Island, leveraging their skills and expertise to establish 5 active stations on all HF bands. The modes covered will include CW, SSB, FT8, and QO-100. Notably, the team aims to be the first to activate AS-199 on Digital Modes and QO-100.
The diverse QRZ India DX Team members, hailing from various parts of India, will converge in Vijayawada before embarking on their journey to the island. The route will include a drive near the island and a Pantu boat ride to reach the destination.
The QRZ India DX Team welcomes contributions from the amateur radio community and beyond. Every donation is valued and appreciated, with a special incentive for sponsors:
$25 Donation: Chance to win one of the 10 exclusive AS-199 Caps.
$50 Donation:Custom-made T-Shirt with your name and callsign, a cherished souvenir for your shack.
All registered sponsors, regardless of the donation amount, will be acknowledged on the AS-199 sponsor page.
Bronze Sponsorship (Above $250):Logos of Bronze Sponsors will be printed on the QSL card.
Silver Sponsorship (Above $500):Logos of Silver Sponsors will be featured not only on the QSL card but also on the main page of the QRZ India DX Team website dedicated to Amateur Radio and IOTA.This sponsorship initiative aims to involve and recognize the generous supporters who contribute towards the success of this significant IOTA activation.For more information and to become a sponsor, visit the AS-199 sponsor page on the QRZ India DX Team website.
Link for making payments/donations is as under:
https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/au2r...locale.x=en_GB
Follow the QRZ India DX Team's journey and live updates on social media platforms using the hashtag #AS199IOTA.
For more details and updates please visit our website. Stay informed and connected with us.
Link: http://www.vu2rs.com/AU2RS/
About QRZ India DX Team: The QRZ India DX Team is a group of dedicated amateur radio operators with extensive experience in organizing and participating in IOTA activations. Committed to fostering a sense of community, communication and innovation, the team strives to contribute to the rich tapestry of Amateur Radio and Island On The Air activities.
About Nachugunta Island: Nachugunta breathtaking tropical island, situated in the Bay of Bengal, Indian Ocean has unique geographic and ecological features. The island boasts more than ten vegetation zones, making it ecologically rich and diverse. Mangrove forests, adapted to saline conditions, play a crucial role in preserving coastal ecosystems. Nachugunta is moderately inhabited, with a mean population density of 122 individuals per km². Despite its natural beauty, the island lacks a public airport, with the nearest airport located in Vijayawada, 76 km away. Additionally, there are no major ports on Nachugunta.
About DXing, short for "Distance" or "Distant" eXchange, is a hobby within the realm of amateur radio. DXing involves the pursuit of making contact with radio stations, particularly those located in distant or far-off locations. In the context of amateur radio, DXing enthusiasts, often referred to as "DXers," strive to communicate with amateur radio operators in other countries or on remote islands.
Key aspects of DXing include:
Contacting Distant Stations DXers aim to establish two-way radio communication with operators in locations that are geographically distant from their own. This could involve communicating across continents, oceans, or other challenging distances.
QSL Cards: Confirmation of successful radio contacts is often exchanged through QSL cards. These cards serve as written confirmation of the communication and typically include details such as date, time, frequency, and signal reports. Collecting QSL cards becomes a popular aspect of the DXing hobby.
Chasing Awards: Many DXers pursue awards and certificates for reaching specific milestones in their DXing activities. These milestones could include contacting a certain number of countries, islands, or entities as defined by various award programs.
Special Event StationsXers often participate in special events organized by amateur radio operators or organizations. These events may involve setting up stations in unique or remote locations, contributing to the challenge of making contact with those stations.
HF BandsXing is particularly associated with the High Frequency (HF) bands, where radio waves can propagate over long distances, especially during favorable atmospheric conditions such as sporadic ionospheric propagation.
Listening Skills: Successful DXing requires good listening skills to distinguish and identify weak signals amidst interference. DXers may use advanced equipment and techniques to enhance their ability to pick up distant signals.
Ethics and SportsmanshipXing is often guided by a strong code of ethics and sportsmanship. Fair play, accurate reporting, and adherence to established rules are important aspects of the DXing community.
DXing adds an exciting and challenging dimension to the amateur radio hobby, promoting international communication and fostering a sense of friendship among radio enthusiasts worldwide.

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AU2RS Team Celebrates 60 Years of IOTA Anniversary with Expedition to AS-199
Greetings from AU2RS Team
[Vijayawada-India, 21.02.2024] - The AU2RS Nachugunta AS-199 Team is thrilled to announce its participation in celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Islands On The Air (IOTA) program. From February 23rd to February 25th, 2024, a dedicated team comprising about 15 operators will be active on AS-199, operating from five stations.
In light of frequency spectrum limitations in the USA and Japan, the team assures all enthusiasts that they will be monitoring various frequencies while operating on the following bands: 80M, 40M, and 20M. Additionally, for CW operations, frequencies will include 160M, 80M, 40M, and 20M. Operators will announce their listening frequencies to ensure maximum participation.
This expedition marks a significant milestone, following in the footsteps of previous successful ventures like VU4N and XX9B. It brings together a diverse group of amateur radio enthusiasts from across India, demonstrating the spirit of collaboration within the community.
Indian amateur radio operators are encouraged to send their QSL cards to the following address for confirmation:
Sarath Babu Rayaprolu, VU2RS
D-2, Sriharivasam, 1st line, 1st Cross,
Vidyanagar, Guntur – 522007
Andhra Pradesh, India

With limited resources, the team plans to set up 5 to 6 stations, including 1 CW station, 2 SSB stations, 2 digital stations, and 1 QO-100 station. Despite constraints, the team expresses gratitude to IOTA, GDXF, and NIAR for their support, including equipment loans.
The expedition will commence early on February 23rd, with the first setup expected by 13:00 hrs. The team eagerly anticipates engaging with fellow enthusiasts across the bands.