The presentation is likely to be a major departure from the conventional after-dinner talk, because we will still be on the DXpedition on April 16, the date of the dinner! We turned this challenge into an opportunity to demonstrate some of the new technology we have implemented for VKØEK. Co-organizer Rich Holoch KY6R will lead the presentation, possibly with the help of other members of the local support and technology development team.

You are probably aware that we have put considerable effort into implementing internet-based services to improve your opportunity to log a QSO with VKØEK and to enhance the DXing experience. For example, the web page DXA will give you confirmation of your QSO within 1 minute after we log it, and in the presentation we will show how it worked on VKØEK. Other services include the ability to exchange messages with the VKØEK team, and to see images and video from the island in virtually real-time. Many of our technology advances are made possible by a major corporate sponsor who has provided multiple satellite terminals and unlimited air time.

At the IDXC banquet, we expect to be able to show high-resolution images and video uploaded directly from Heard Island. In addition, we are working to provide a live interactive link to the convention banquet, using the large display capabilities of the Visalia Convention Center. Assuming these links work, we think you’ll find this presentation the one to remember, so we hope you’ll be there for this interesting event!