TI9KK

By – S. Yamini, VU2YAM

It was a proud and prestigious moment as the members of Governing Council of NIAR, members of media, family & friends wish Bonvoyage as I embark on a journey to Isla Del Coco, Costa Rica as the first Indian and only women of the 12 member International team of amateur radio operators. Emotions were floating high in the air and so were the expectations of people around me looking forward to a very successful event.

Unaware of the harsh and unexpected reality, Arno OE9AMJ and I, landed in San Jose only to learn that the ‘TI9K’ was cancelled. The disappointment was not that the license was cancelled but the seriousness of the issue was not known anytime during our preparations even before our travel. The license was not cancelled once but twice.

We in India are trained to expect the unexpected, I am lucky to be working as part of the administrative team under the leadership of Mr.S.Suri,VU2MY Founder Chairman, NIAR whose rich experience in dealing with emergency situations help me to gain strength and courage to speak to the concerned authorities in Costa Rica and restore the permission for Dxpedition. The letter of support from NIAR which explained the objectives of the expeditions i.e. to create awareness and encourage amateur radio activity in various countries, to Enhance skills of amateur radio operation under extreme conditions, to Build International relations among the people with two-way radio contacts and to Promote and Popularize local culture and tourism. The media coverage about TI9K event in India, besides individual representations, as well as the explanation of Mr. Arno Metzler about the Emergency Training Program organized by him in Austria for 8 Indian hams strengthened our request with authorities to reconsider their earlier decision and re-issue the dexpedition permission with a new callsign ‘TI9KK’.

I am grateful to officers of Ministry of Communications, Park Authorities in Costa Rica to have agreed to support our dxpedition. I will always remember the words of my mentor Mr.Suri - An Impossible was made Possible. I would humbly accept that my inexperience in radio operation may have resulted in reduced contacts but I am happy that my contribution to be part of the team helped us achieve the goal.

TI9KK was certainly most memorable achievements in my life. I thank Mr. Arno Metzler, OE9AMJ for bringing me on to the team and NIAR for their support and encouragement.

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