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PRESS RELEASE Nr. 1

Announcing the South Orkney Islands 2011 Microlite Penguins DXPedition

The Microlite Penguins DXpedition team will be activating the South Orkney Islands (DXCC VP8/O, IOTA AN-008) from January 27 to February 8, 2011. Safe and reliable Antarctic transportation has been secured by the experienced RV Braveheart, and activity will be on all HF bands 160m-10m using SSB, CW and RTTY.

Operators will be K9ZO, ND2T, 9V1YC, K0IR, N1DG, N0AX, W3WL, N6MZ, I8NHJ, N4GRN, WB9Z, W7EW and VE3EJ. This will be the team's fourth time activating an entity in the Antarctic region and fifth DXpedition overall. You may recognize most of the callsigns from the group's past operations, but we've also added several new members to the team, all of whom have been on DXpeditions to some of the world's rarest entities.

Those who have enjoyed our operations over the last 8 years may recall that our methods and philosophy are somewhat different from other DXpeditions. Though our overall goal is still to provide a new DXCC entity on as many bands and modes as possible, we also strive to increase the fun factor by focusing on operational simplicity and radio skill.

In the past we kept the Microlite Penguins DXpeditions non-commercial and confined the financial burden to ourselves and a single sponsor, the NCDXF. But today, with the astronomical cost of Antarctic travel and a budget approaching US$300,000, this single-sponsor approach is no longer a reality. To make this DXpedition happen, we must break our tradition and ask for support of the entire amateur radio community. All financial support, no matter what the amount will be welcome. We have even set up a website where DXers, clubs and foundations can donate online:

http://www.vp8o.com

It is the support and encouragement of the DX community that will make this exciting Antarctic adventure a success. We hope that you, personally, can be a part of this adventure, share the excitement with us, and help bring the Microlite Penguins to the airwaves once again.

73 and see you on the bands.

The Microlite Penguins DXpedition Team