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High Cost DX-peditions
7 January 2014 | by I try to not editorialize too much on this blog, but rather report on real activities that strike me as interesting in the radio hobby. I didn't start the blog to present opinions, but rather experiences and adventures. However.....
There have been many reflectors, bloggers, etc... commenting on the current state of affairs in the high-end expedition world. Some of these expeditions have budgets in the $300,000 - $400,000 range. Many commenters discuss that unless amateurs contribute more, these expeditions will no longer happen and the "deserving" will be left with log books devoid of the most rare destinations. And that somehow, its is the responsibility of the non-expeditioning population to insure that these trips are properly funded and if you don't contribute, somehow you aren't paying your fair share.
My feelings, very simply, about this issue fall along the lines of how I manage my personal finances. If I can't afford it, I don't go. No-one is "obligated" to insure that my expedition is funded. That said, I have no issue with someone asking me to help defray their costs, e.g., I am paying for my expedition, if I do a good job and you want to make a contribution, then thank you. But not the approach; I need for you to contribute or I can't go. Two very different approaches.
All of this said, there is nothing new under the sun. I have been an amateur for 25 years and the same issues come up all the time. The fact is, no matter how expensive it gets, someone will go. If we need the entity and we feel inclined, then we should make a contribution, but don't put a guilt trip on me to pay for someone elses trip.
Back to regular programming.
Mike Crownover, AD5A, is a regular contributor to AmateurRadio.com and writes from Texas, USA. Contact him at [email protected].There have been many reflectors, bloggers, etc... commenting on the current state of affairs in the high-end expedition world. Some of these expeditions have budgets in the $300,000 - $400,000 range. Many commenters discuss that unless amateurs contribute more, these expeditions will no longer happen and the "deserving" will be left with log books devoid of the most rare destinations. And that somehow, its is the responsibility of the non-expeditioning population to insure that these trips are properly funded and if you don't contribute, somehow you aren't paying your fair share.
My feelings, very simply, about this issue fall along the lines of how I manage my personal finances. If I can't afford it, I don't go. No-one is "obligated" to insure that my expedition is funded. That said, I have no issue with someone asking me to help defray their costs, e.g., I am paying for my expedition, if I do a good job and you want to make a contribution, then thank you. But not the approach; I need for you to contribute or I can't go. Two very different approaches.
All of this said, there is nothing new under the sun. I have been an amateur for 25 years and the same issues come up all the time. The fact is, no matter how expensive it gets, someone will go. If we need the entity and we feel inclined, then we should make a contribution, but don't put a guilt trip on me to pay for someone elses trip.
Back to regular programming.
4 Responses to “High Cost DX-peditions”
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Hello Mike…
I am not sure whether you have been on a DXpedition or not, but most of those who are motivated to go do put a number of their own $ on the line. Frankly, a number of the really rare ones would not get put on the air without financial help. I travel internationally extensively and occasionally have helped put some on the air. I would be a whole lot more motivated to do a lot more if I knew that people were actually financially involved. It is very de-motivating for someone to complain about an operation on the air or on the internet without have had to do the actual work of putting a DXpedition together.
I sure enjoy reading about the expeditions and it is good for the hobby.
Travel on my friends !!
A most astute and most appropriate comment. I agree, don’t lay a guilt trip on the amateur community but by all means ask the DX community for contributions. You would be more than suprised at the response.
PS – Lauren, I did not interpret Mike’s comments as complaints about the operation of any DX-pedition just about the method of funding, which is all
too frequently employed by those running a DX-pedition or trying to organize one.
I wonder if anyone could point me in the direction of a job that could afford me such large sums to commit to a hobby.
Joking aside its nice to for people to be able to go on these dxpeditions but if we get down to success being a factor of the size of your cheque book then I’m afraid its not looking good for anyone.
Our club goes on a dxpedition each year, mainly to the Scottish western isles and I’m sure those who go have just as good a time. They may not be on everyone’s most wanted list but 20-30k contacts and £300 a head seems like better value for money. I’m sure there are many others doing the same.