The Halifax Amateur Radio Club (HARC) invites DXers, contesters and HF enthusiasts to the 2009 Maritime DX Forum.  On Friday, 7 August, a reception and registration will begin at 7:00 pm. The MDF program on Saturday, 8 August will run from 8:30 am - 4:45 pm, followed by a reception and the DX banquet at 6:00 pm.

Location.  The MDF will be held in the Rosaria Centre of Mount St. Vincent University on Seton Road, the entrance to MSVU off the Bedford Highway.  Their general telephone number is (902) 457-6287. Please Google Mount St. Vincent University Location to see a map. Inexpensive accommodations are available at the University (details below).

Our speakers - active and outstanding members of our global ham radio community - include:

       ·      MARTTI LAINE, 0H2BH -  Espoo, Finland

·      JOE TAYLOR, K1JT – Princeton, New Jersey

·      GEORGE NICHOLSON, N4GRN – Atlanta, George & Liverpool, Nova Scotia

·      DOUG ZWIEBEL, KR2Q – Randolph, New Jersey

Background.  Maritime DX Forum had its beginning in August 2004 with a gathering of twenty DX enthusiasts in the home of Scott Wood, VE1QD, on Moser’s Island, near historic Peggy’s Cove.  It was an intimate gathering in Scott’s living room with featured speaker Kim Mathiason, OZ1MAL.  Kim arrived by sailboat, dropped anchor in front of Scott’s home and captivated us with tales of operating DX from his 42-foot sloop. Also Dick Grantham – VE1AI – recounted the 1993 Gambia (C51A) DXpedition, John Scott – VE1JS – conducted the organizational meeting for the new Maritime Contest Club, and Scott Wood led the discussion that formally organized the Maritime DX Forum. From this humble beginning in 2004 the DX Forum has grown steadily, increasing in attendance and attracting outstanding local, national and international participants. See the attached lists of all the presentations and all the hams who have attended one or more programs during the first five years.

Program.  This year our program reaches new heights with four world-class speakers. The full program details are attached. The 2009 Maritime DX Forum lineup includes:

• Our keynote speaker, Martti Laine, OH2BH, will talk about his recent experiences in helping develop amateur radio in various parts of the world under the title: Turning New Stones: Building Passion for Amateur Radio.
• Taking us in a more technical direction, Joe Taylor, K1JT, a Nobel Laureate in Astrophysics, and life long contributor to amateur radio, will talk about Advances in Weak Signal Communication: WSJT and More
• Doug Zwiebel, KR2Q, renowned for his low power contesting feats, will talk about QRP Contesting from Home Stations. This part of the program is being organized in partnership with the Maritime Contest Club, a new global competitor that is making its mark in contest circles.
• George Nicholson, N4GRN, will share with us the excitement and visual images of 2009’s first significant DXpedition:  The 2009 Desecheo Island DXpedition that took place in February 2009.  George is also a member of HARC.

There will be ample time to talk with each of our program presenters: first, at the reception on Friday night and then during the coffee breaks, lunch and DX banquet reception on Saturday.  Cushcraft has been an MDF sponsor since 2005 and will again provide a nice antenna as a door prize. John David, KB1T, their manager of amateur sales, will be attending the MDF. John Scott, VE1JS, a volunteer ARRL QSL card checker will be on hand to confirm credits for DXCC, WAS & VUCC awards. The ARRL QSL checking guidelines are attached.

Cost and Registration.    The cost of the MDF program, including the Friday reception and Saturday lunch, is $45. The cost of Saturday evening’s DX banquet is $35.  There will be a cash bar at the receptions on Friday and Saturday. A copy of the MDF Registration Form is attached. Scott would like to know of your intention to attend, and will gladly answer any questions.  He can be contacted at: ve1qd@rac.ca or at (902) 823-2761.

Maritime DX Forum Foundation.  To help augment the costs of operating and developing the MDF, we annually solicit donations.  This money goes to provide travel support for speakers when needed and to cover developmental costs.  Details about the Foundation are attached.

Accommodations.  For those wishing inexpensive lodging, Mount St.Vincent University has comfortable dormitory rooms with a shared bath ($41.63/day) and one bedroom apartments with bath ($64.42/day).  The price includes tax, breakfast and parking. Reservations can be made with Patricia Drake: telephone (902) 457-6355 or e-mail: patricia.drake@msvu.ca.

Tourism Opportunities. There are many reasons for visiting Halifax, Nova Scotia, and the Maritimes in the summer.  The Nova Scotia Tall Ships Festival will take place this year from July 16^th to the 29^th. Ships will arrive in Halifax on Thursday, July 16 and following the magnificent Parade of Sail in Halifax Harbour on Monday, July 20 and then spread out around the province.  Why not plan your summer vacation around a trip to the Maritimes. Visit Halifax.  Get aboard a tall ship in Halifax Harbour.  Tour the Nova Scotia mainland and Cape Breton Island.  Visit the Alexander Graham Bell museum in Badeck. Hop the ferry or take a drive on the Confederation Bridge and visit our island province - PEI.  AND of course, take in the Maritime DX Forum on August 7^th and 8^th at Mt. Saint Vincent University.  If you wish tourism information for the Maritime Provinces, please note this on your registration form and a package will be mailed to you.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Beginning in June 1, a passport or enhanced driver’s license/enhanced identification card will be required to cross into the USA.  Thus returning Americans will also require this new level of documents.  Ensure you have the right ID!

Finally. Let your friends know about the Maritime DX Forum.  They can obtain registration materials either from the HARC website www.halifax-arc.org or from Scott Wood, VE1QD, and Chair of the MDF. Scott would like to know of your intention to attend, and will gladly answer any of your questions.  He can be contacted at: ve1qd@rac.ca or at (902) 823-2761.

WELCOME TO HALIFAX AND THE MARITIME DX FORUM IN AUGUST 2009!                                                                     

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