ZS8W – Island Marion

Prince Edward and Marion islands are according to the list “Clublog’s DXCC Most Wanted List” to April 2025 on 11. place among the most desirable DXCC entities. After several unsuccessful attempts from the year 2018 get the necessary permits to visit the island of Marion and the radio amateur activity from here, Yuris yl2gm finally proved it! It is currently on board MV S.A. Needles II, that is to sail from Cape Town in South Africa towards the island of Marion 17. April. Yuris will broadcast from the island of Marion under the ZS8W brand in the period from 21. who wish to request an exchange of an existing permit for a new permit and have not yet expired 16. may 2025.

ZS8W operation

Planned is transferred from 160 after 6m.It will always be used operation splitlit (separate income and broadcasting).

The operator will listen in CW O 1 KHZ and higher and more (on 160 m band o 2 khz below for me: 1810–1820 kHz), on SSB – o 5 KHZ and more higher. Listen and follow the operator's instructions while broadcasting. Follow its instructions for the world, that it is just evoking, and don't call, If you are not in that area.

FT8 - If you see from DX station RR73 message, you are in the logo and you can stop broadcasting. No need to send a RR73 message or 73.

Equipment

TRX: Dva FT-891
PA: Jeden SPE Expert 1.3K-FA

Antennas

• Bands 160/80/40/30 m - vertical antenna high 18 m with a capacity hat + Beverage antenna for receiving
• Bands of 20–10 m - Spiderbeam
• Bands of 40–10 m-vertical antenna DX-commander
• 5-Elementary Yagi antenna for the band 6 m

Yuris will act on the island as a radio -fiber and a member of the SANAP Communication Equipment Maintenance Team (South African National Antarctic Programme). It will stay there during the above period, When the annual supply and replacement of staff wintering at the SANAP station. NCDXF (Northern California DX Foundation) is the main supporter of this expedition.

by the way, You can watch vacancies on the SANAP website and maybe you will join the wintering team next year.

QSL information ZS8W

Please, Do not send requests to repair the logo. Repairs will not be provided. All individual supporters with a contribution 20 USD and more get QSL directly. Please, Do not send your QSL cards via Buro - they are not required. Complete upload to LOTW will be done 6 months after the DX expedition is over.

For paper QSL to choose one from the following options:

• Direct – OQRS Request over clublog.org a 6 USD.

• Tumor - Oqrs request through clublog.org free for all QSO, that you need. QSL through Buro will be sent to 6 months.

• Tumor - If you don't know, How to use oqrs, Send an email with the data of all QSO, to which you need qsl. QSL through Buro will be sent to 6 months.

• Direct - Send QSL directly through QSL manager yl2G with 6 USD + SAE (Self -consisted envelope) to the address below. If insufficient fee is sent, The card will be returned via Buro.

Address: Ziedonis Knope
Lake 24-40
Balvi, LV-4501
Latvia

Please, Select and use only one Method at the request for a paper QSL card.

Island Marion

Marion Island is a subantarctic island belonging to South Africa, found in the southern part of the Indian Ocean, approx 2 000 km southeast of Cape Town. Together with the neighboring island of Prince Edward creates so -called. Prince Edward Islands. The island has a volcanic origin and its highest point, Mascarin Peak, reaches a height 1 230 meters above sea level. Most of the year is covered with a dense fog, strong winds and frequent rainfall, what creates extreme conditions for life.

In spite of the harsh climate, Marion is home to a rich fauna. Visitors here can find large penguins colonies (e.g.. Royal penguin, rock or yellowish), albatrosov, Different types of sea seals and a number of marine birds. The surroundings of the island are also known for rich fishing options, However, what has led to problems with excessive fishing and illegal hunting in the past.

There is a research station operated by South African Antarctic expedition on the island. Scientists are exploring the climate here, biological diversity and influence of a person on the fragile ecosystems of subantarctic areas. For a year 1995 Is the island of Marion declared a nature reserve and there are strict ecological rules there.

Thanks to its remoteness and isolation, Marion is a unique example of untouched nature. It's a place, which plays an important role in the protection of biodiversity and the research of global climate change.