Team and supporters of the VKØEK DXpedition. (Standing L to R): Ted Cheeseman, Nigel Jolly, Mike KJ4Z, Bob KK6EK, Jim N6TQ, Rusty W6OAT, John K6MM, Ander Jepsen, Carlos NP4IW. (Seated L to R): Rich KY6R, Peter W6DEI, Tom ND2T

June 6, 2015. Today we had the pleasure of a celebratory meeting of the expedition team, its largest institutional supporter, and the vessel skipper. Gathering at the Walnut Creek home of Expedition Leader Bob Schmieder, local team members, officers of the Northern California DX Foundation (NCDXF), and Nigel, owner and operator of the expedition vessel R. V. Braveheart, the group combined a nice dinner party provided by Bob’s XYL Kay with several important milestones. Bob showed major progress in the design of the facilities to be used on Heard Island, based on the AirBeam shelters being provided by corporate partner HDT Global. Co-organizer Rich KY6R described progress with the antenna design and radio propagation modeling, and plans for a partial team on Spit Bay to get enhanced propagation to the North America West Coast. Nigel described the detailed plans to meet the team in Cape Town, South Africa, and to provide extensive support while on Heard Island.But probably the happiest event of the evening was when NCDXF President Tom Berson, together with Past President Rusty Epps W6OAT and Secretary John MIller K6MM presented the expedition with a check for $50,000. Tom expressed his faith in the group to carry out the complex and difficult expedition, prompting Bob to respond with promises to spare no effort to justify that faith.

Bob receives check for $50,000 from the Northern California DX Foundation. (L to R): Bob, Rusty W6OAT, Tom ND2T, John K6MM