*** UPDATE by SQ8X on Jan. 21th 2008

Brian has left Gough isl. and ZD9BCB is QRT

*** SINCE BRIAN ISN'T A MEMBER OF ANY BUREAU CARDS RECEIVED VIA BUREAU CAN NOT BE REPLIED ***

***

Brian had the privilege to activate Gough Island - a small, volcanic site located in a middle of the South Atlantic Ocean. Gough Island, together with Tristan da Cunha, forms an Island group and is one of the most isolated and remotest places in the world. The island is one of the UNESCO World Heritage sites. Its unique flora and fauna create an outstanding nature reserve.

Brian worked as a radio/electronics technician at the SANAP weather station, located at the Transvaal Bay in the south-east corner of the island, until September 2007. The station provides important meteorlogical data for scientific purposes. It's also a resource base for biologists and geologists doing research on the island. In addition, it's also an important place for Global Volcanic Program (monitoring of global volcanic activity).

Brian operated a barefoot ICOM IC-738 with inverted V wire antenna. Although he was not a "big gun" on the air, it was possible to work him with 100 watts and a vertical multiband antenna system in VERY poor conditions.

Gough Islands IOTA reference is AF-030 and it is one of the most wanted islands on the air.

*** QSL POLICY:

QSL DIRECT ONLY (sorry, NO VIA BUREAU) via Stan SQ8X (ex SQ8AQD):

Stan, P.O. Box 8, 38-600 Lesko, Poland

To receive the unique, high quality QSL card, you must include:

1. SAE - a robust, self-addressed envelope

2. 2 "green stamps" (2USD) *** OR *** 1 new, valid IRC coupon.

If invalid IRC or not sufficient funds received = sorry = no QSL.

*** SINCE BRIAN ISN'T A MEMBER OF ANY BUREAU CARDS RECEIVED VIA BUREAU CAN NOT BE REPLIED ***

ZD9BCB & DXCC CREDIT ISSUE

Unfortunately, although I've been asking (AFAIR 4-5x times.) Brian ex-ZD9BCB to delived all necessary documents to ARRL DXCC Desk, he never provided any documents to validate his activity at ARRL. This means Brian's contacts aren't valid (and probably will never be) for the DXCC credit. Looks like Brian's lost any interest in the ham radio, and I'm very sorry, but I doubt we can do anything about this :(

Nevertheless Brian's cards are still a proof of his activity from Gough island as his operation was 100% legal and real.

Stan SQ8X