DXOTICA FROM 1969 TO 2019

The first ever DXpedition to icy Market Reef landed on December 27^th of 1969 and put OJ0MR on the air. The first operators were Sigge, OH0NI (SK), Martti, OH2BH, Erkki, OH2BW (SK) and Raimo, OH2KK. Soon after the first operation, the permanent lighthouse keeper Karl-Erik, OJ0MA also hit the airwaves. A stream of DXpeditions followed. These later DXpeditions kept OJ0 a dream location for hundreds and hundreds DXpeditioners, allowing them to discover the light and become performers within the admired DXpedition industry.

The Northern California DX Foundation (NCDXF) had helped OJ0MA become a household DXer and later a great ham as OH0NA, while later-on, the NCDXF and OHDXF assisted the Finnish Light House Society (FLS) to restore the beauty of this remote DX outpost between Aland Islands and Sweden.

The 2019 season will see many veteran DXpeditioners returning to their dreamland to provide OJ0 QSOs to those who deserve – the Deserving! Their return will enable them to once again experience the camaraderie and friendship only a true DX location can provide. Adding to the crew will be upcoming OH and SM youngsters!

The invited guests of the season are: CO8DM, E21EIC, E20NKB, W5XU, DS4EOI, JH4RHF, JE6HIB, PB2T, DJ9ZB, DL3DXX, DJ4MF, DL5SE, SM0W, SA0LAT and others. They will be hosted by OH3WS, OH3JR, OH2BH, OH2TA, OG2M, OH2PM, OH4EA, OH6FSG, OH6LSR, OH6KV, OH6OK, OH6NJ and the younger vintage of OH2FB, OH1UBO and OH3UAF.

The activity is in several phases throughout the summer and may even extend to the hard winter season in order to capture the best low-band openings.  It all starts this Saturday June 8^t with OJ0AW and OJ0JR. Next, following the international week of July.06 will be OJ0A and OJ0Z. Then the IARU Contest weekend of June 13/14 with OJ0B and then turning to Youth Week of OJ0C from July.15 and IOTA week of July.27 (OJ0DX) and Light House weekend of August.1 (OJ0O).  The OJ0-regulars Pasi, OH3WS/OJ0W, Henri, OH3JR/OJ0JR; Martti, OH2BH/OJ0BH and Pertti, OG2M/OJ0MR will take the slots along with their official duties

There are twenty-one valid OJ0 licenses. More than 50% are expected to be active during this year. If you work five of them (5) in 2019, a special award will be released. If you work ten (10) of them in 2019, you will qualify for a special award and a symbolic key to the light house. Your log extract should be submitted to Pasi, OH3WS, the contact person between the FLS and the global ham fraternity.

The Aland Islands Postal Administration will also release a special Market Reef stamp to commemorate Market’s 50^thDXCC year for philatelist community. The special stamp on a Market Reef postcard can be obtained from the Market Reef Post Office with appropriate stamping at the cost of 4.00 Euros from Pasi, OH3WS/OJ0W.

And finally, as the sugar at the bottom, the Aland Island boat captain Fredrick will provide a day tour to those who want to see this wonderland and make few contacts on their own from OJ0 on July.10 and July.16. Please contact Martti, OH2BH for details at oh2bh@arrl.net

73 Hans PB2T