13. Somalia radio holiday

RADIO HOLIDAYS IN SOMALIA.

1997

Two amateur radio operators from Australia, Bill Main VK4ZD, VK6ZX, 6O0X and his wife Diane Main VK4KYL, VK6KYL, 6O0YL visited Galkayo for a radio holiday in Somalia. Bill and Diane became interested in Somalia when they made friends with Somali ham radio operators who first started worldwide two-way conversations from the Galkayo amateur radio club station 6O0Z in 1993.

2004

One amateur radio operator from Canada, Joe Talbot VA6JWT, 6O0JT visited Galkayo (Galkacyo), Somalia. Ham radio activities in Galkayo made Joe decide to visit Somalia for his radio holiday.

2005

Somalia Amateur Radio Friendship and Emergency Network (SARFEN).

Jimciyada Raadiyaha Amitarka ee Soomaaliya (SARFEN).

The first SARFEN assisted Somalia holiday using the call sign 6O0CW.

Arriving at Galkayo airport, Somalia in February 2005, a team of 5 Italian hams were met by several Somalia amateur radio operators.

Somalia Hams included Adan Nur Mohamud call sign 6O0N (silent key) who was both a Somalia Amateur Radio Friendship and Emergency Network SARFEN official and Director of Radio Daljir.

The team of 5 Italians was lead by Silvano Borsa, I2YSB, 6O0CW.

The friendship and help from Somalia radio amateurs (Hams like Adan Nur Mohamud 6O0N) during this first Somalia radio holiday in 2005 encouraged the successful second Italian radio holiday visit to Somalia in January - February 2006.

In 2-weeks 24,000 two-way radio conversations with other amateur radio stations around the world were made by connecting voice or computer or a Morse code key into their 2 amateur radio stations that they set up in Galkayo operating both day and night.

The Italian amateur radio team of 5 members were:

1. Silvano Borsa, I2YSB, 6O0CW. Team leader, retired radar maintenance expert in the Italian Air Force.

2. Marcello Cassinelli, IK2DIA, 6O0IA. Retired from the Electric Company.

3. Andrea Panati, IK1PMR, 6O0MR. Information technology consultant.

4. Riccardo Vignolini, IZ5BRW, 6O0RW. Metal works milling machine operator.

5. Giuseppe Signorelli, IK2WXV, 6O0XV. Fireman.

2006.

Italians enjoy second Radio Holiday in Somalia using the special call sign 6O0N.

In January – February 2006 a team of 7 Italian amateur radio operators organised a radio expedition (Dxpedition) holiday with the support of the Somalia Amateur Radio Friendship and Emergency Network (SARFEN) members.

The Italians set up 2 amateur radio stations both operating day and night in Galkayo, Somalia. The stations were on the air from January to February 2006 using the temporary special event call sign 6O0N in memory of Somalia amateur radio operator Adan Nur Mohamud (callsign 6O0N). Adan became a "Silent Key" when he died in a car accident in Bossaso in 2005.

The team of 7 Italian Ham two-way radio operators using the special call sign 6O0N made 34,000 conversations with other amateur radio stations around the world by using voice on radio, computer on radio and Morse code on radio during the 2 week Dxpedition holiday in Galkayo, Somalia.

The Italian amateur radio team members were:

1. Silvano Borsa, I2YSB, 6O0CW. Team leader and retired radar maintenance expert in the Italian Air Force.

2. Marcello Cassinelli, IK2DIA, 6O0IA. Retired from the Electric Company.

3. Carlo Brasso, IK1AOD, 6O0OD. Retired.

4. Alfeo Caputo, I1HJT, 6O0HT. Chief engineer in an engineering company.

5. Carlo De Mari, IK1HJS, 6O0JS. Antenna company.

6. Angelo Selva, IK2CKR, 6O0KR. Working in general electronics production.

7. Vinicio Ravizza, IK2CIO, 6O0IO. Working in PC Technical Hardware.

2007

Belguim visitor returns for a second holiday in Somalia.

April 2007 and again in August 2007.

One amateur radio operator from Belguim, Filip Rogister ON4TA, 6O0F visited Galkayo for a radio holiday.

Filip enjoyed Somalia so much that he returned for a second radio holiday 4 months later.

During his holiday Filip volunteered to teach basic electronics and radio technology to young Somali people who successfully built a signal generator, a small audio amplifier, an AM medium wave and an FM band receiver.

1993 to 2007

Australia visitor comes to Somalia 10 times.

One amateur radio operator from Australia, Sam Voron VK2BVS, 6O0A, 6O1A has visited Somalia in 1993 for 7 weeks,

1994 for 8 weeks,

1995 for 5 weeks,

1997 for 4 weeks,

2000 for 8 weeks

2003 for 23 weeks,

2004 for 23 weeks,

2005 for 23 weeks,

2007 for 23 weeks AND returned for 12 weeks.

Sam has assisted as a volunteer in Somalia.

THE SECOND SARFEN ASSISTED SOMALIA HOLIDAY 2006.

7 Amateur Radio friends from Italy come to Somalia for a ham radio holiday.

1. Silvano Borsa I2YSB, 6O0CW.

Silvano received his Somalia visitor ham radio license 6O0CW in 2005.

Silvano from Italy enjoyed the Somalia ham radio holiday in 2005 and returned to Somalia in 2006.

In 2005 Silvano was part of the Italian ham team who met Adan Nur Mohamud 6O0N for the first time.

The Italian hams were shocked when they return home and heard that Adan had died in a car accident.

Photo by 6O0CW special memorial event using the callsign 6O0N which belonged to Adan Nur Mohamud.

Galkayo, Somalia 2006.

See in photo 10 below.

2. Marcello Cassinelli IK2DIA, 6O0IA.

Marcello received his Somalia visitor ham radio license 6O0IA in 2005.

Marcello from Italy enjoyed the Somalia ham radio holiday in 2005 and returned to Somalia in 2006.

In 2005 Marcello was part of the Italian ham team who met Adan Nur Mohamud 6O0N for the first time.

Photo by 6O0CW special memorial event using the callsign 6O0N which belonged to Adan Nur Mohamud.

Galkayo, Somalia 2006.

See in photo 11 below.

3. Carlo Brasso IK1AOD, 6O0OD.

First visit to Somalia.

Amateur Radio friends in Italy invited him to go with them to Somalia.

Carlo received his Somalia visitor ham radio license callsign 6O0OD.

Photo by 6O0CW special memorial event using the callsign 6O0N which belonged to Adan Nur Mohamud.

Galkayo, Somalia 2006.

See in photo 12 below.

4. Vinicio Ravizza IK2CIO, 6O0IO.

First visit to Somalia.

Italian ham radio friends invited him to go with them to Somalia.

Vinicio received his Somalia visitor amateur radio license callsign 6O0IO.

Photo by 6O0CW special memorial event using the callsign 6O0N which belonged to Adan Nur Mohamud.

Galkayo, Somalia 2006.

See in photo 13 below.

5. Carlo De Mari IK1HJS, 6O0JS.

First visit to Somalia.

Radio amateur friends in Italy invited him to go with them to Somalia.

Carlo received his Somalia visitor amateur radio license callsign 6O0OD.

Photo by 6O0CW special memorial event using the callsign 6O0N which belonged to Adan Nur Mohamud.

Galkayo, Somalia 2006.

See in photo 14 below.

6. Angelo Selva, IK2CKR, 6O0KR.

First visit to Somalia.

Amateur radio friends in Italy invited him to go with them to Somalia.

Angelo received his Somalia visitor amateur radio license callsign 6O0KR.

Photo by 6O0CW special memorial event using the callsign 6O0N which belonged to Adan Nur Mohamud.

Galkayo, Somalia 2006.

See in photo 15 below.

7. Alfeo Caputo I1HJT, 6O0HT.

First visit to Somalia.

Ham radio friends in Italy invited him to go with them to Somalia.

Alfeo received his Somalia visitor amateur radio license callsign 6O0IO.

Photo by 6O0CW special memorial event using the callsign 6O0N which belonged to Adan Nur Mohamud.

Galkayo, Somalia 2006.

See in photo 16 below.

THE FIRST SARFEN ASSISTED SOMALIA HOLIDAY 2005.

Here are details from Silvano Borsa, I2YSB, 6O0CW the leader of the Italian 5 member team on the number of radio conversations made from Galkayo, Somalia with overseas amateur radio stations during the 2-week Dxpedition radio holiday in February 2005.

2 week Radio holiday in Somalia.

Silvano Borsa, I2YSB, 6O0CW

The team of 5 ham radio operators arrive from Italy.

Galkayo, Somalia February 2005

See in photo 17 by 6O0CW team below.

Italian ham radio visitors are greeted with smiles while walking in Galkayo.

Galkayo, Somalia 2005.

Photo 18 by 6O0CW team.

5 amateur radio visitors from Italy find more smiles while walking in Galkayo.

Galkayo, Somalia 2005.

Photo 19 by 6O0CW team.

Canadian radio holiday ham Joe Talbot VA6JWT, 6O0JT (in Blue) meeting with Italian radio holiday hams in Somalia.

Hams from Italy (left to right) with their Italian ham callsign and Somalia ham visitor callsign

Marcello Cassinelli IK2DIA, 6O0IA, Silvano Borsa I2YSB, 6O0CW, Andrea Panati IK1PMR, 6O0MR.

Galkayo, Somalia February 2005.

Photo 20 by 6O0CW team.

The 5 Italian friends come together for a radio holiday in Somalia.

Hams from Italy with their Italian ham callsign and Somalia ham visitor callsign

(left to right, front row)

Marcello Cassinelli IK2DIA, 6O0IA, Silvano Borsa I2YSB, 6O0CW.

(left to right, back row)

Riccardo Vignolini IZ5BRW, 6O0RW, Andrea Panati IK1PMR, 6O0MR, Giuseppe Signorelli IK2WXV, 6O0XV.

Galkayo, Somalia February 2005.

Photo 21 by 6O0CW team.

THE FIRST REQUEST TO VISIT SOMALIA.

Here is the E-mail from Italy that shows how the first Somalia Amateur Radio Friendship and Emergency Network SARFEN Somalia holiday was planed.

23 December 2004.

Dear Sam and all Somalia hams,

We thank you for the information and cooperation you gave us so far, and we confirm our intention to visit Somalia in February 2005, as announced two months ago.

We appreciate the information and encouragement received from you Sam and at the same time we thank other hams for the information they sent us.

We understand that different people may have different ideas and we DON'T WANT to judge or discuss your personal opinions, of course, because we know very little about Somalia and we JUST WISH to make a nice DX-pedition (radio holiday) and to help Somalia hams as much as possible.

For these reasons, we confirm our wish to come.

Our objectives and our current plans follow.

OUR OBJECTIVES:

(A) To help the Somalia people develop their amateur radio knowledge and skills (if they wish) through cooperation with local hams and the donation of amateur radio equipment to the President of the Somalia Amateur Radio Friendship and Emergency Radio Network (SARFEN) in Galkayo.

(B) To make a DX-pedition (radio holiday) to Somalia and to make as many radio contacts (QSOs) as possible with amateurs from all over the world.

This will make overseas radio hams happy to be able to talk with Somalia (after so many years of difficulties in the country) and, at the same time, this should help Somalia to improve its international visibility and then possibly attract other foreign visitors and help.

For these reasons we believe that our DX (Long distance radio operating) trip to Somalia is important to the local people too, and we hope that locals will accept us as guests in their country for these two weeks.

OUR PLANS:

Our plan is to set up two short wave HF (High Frequency) amateur radio stations in Galkayo as quickly as possible as soon as we arrive on 3 February 2005, and as best as possible (that is, in the best possible locations and with the best possible antennas).

Then we would like to operate our radios 24 hours a day on all days and all nights, to make the largest possible number of radio contacts (QSOs) and give everyone in the world the opportunity to make radio contact (conversations) with Somalia.

WHAT WE WOULD NEED FROM SOMALI PEOPLE IS HELP TO REALIZE OUR PLANS:

Of course, we hope to make new friends in Galkayo and to start a nice cooperation with local people.

I will describe what we need in order to realise our DX-pedition plans:

(1) Security: our Somali friends will tell us where we can set up our ham radio stations and where we can sleep, eat and go for best security.

The first requirement for our trip is that all of our team members should feel safe and have a nice time and a good interaction with local people; we don't want to disturb or create problems to anyone, our trip should be fun and useful to everyone involved.

(2) We need to find two good places to install our two short wave HF amateur radio stations (radios and antennas).

Places are needed to avoid interferences between our two stations.

The best place should have enough space for installing our antennas (some are quite large, especially the antennas for 1.8 MHz that is necessary for the good results in our DX-pedition (radio holiday). Hams from all over the world will hear us and they will judge us (and Somalia) based on the results and impressions they will gain from our on-the-air contacts.

At the moment, we would suggest:

(a). We would like to set up our first amateur radio station for transmitting Morse code (CW) and Radioteletype (RTTY) at Radio Daljir, because we hope to use their radio antenna towers in order to support our 1.8 MHz antennas.

This seems to be the best solution for operating on 1.8 MHz especially at night time.

We hope that the Director of Radio Daljir will authorise us to stay there and operate our radio 24 hours day and night. This would be a great help for us.

We expect no interference problems between Radio Daljir and our HF amateur radio station, because Radio Daljir operates FM on 103MHz in the VHF (Very High Frequency) band.

(b). We would like to install our second HF amateur radio station for transmitting voice on SSB (Single Side Band) in a hotel or villa somewhere in Galkayo. We hope local hams can help us to quickly find a good place for our antennas and equipment.

We think that Radio Galkayo is NOT the best place for our radio operations because it is a large broadcasting radio transmitting station on HF (High Frequency). They transmit on HF operating on 6.980 MHz using the AM mode so interference between Radio Galkayo and our transmissions are highly likely to occur and would be difficult to avoid.

We don't wish to create any interference problems to Radio Galkayo.

We thank them for the offer of hospitality and we hope to cooperate with them.

We are sure they can understand our special needs for no-interference between our transmissions, and the only easy way to avoid radio interference is to place our two amateur radio stations far away from any HF broadcasting stations.

(c). Electricity 24 hours a day, as stable as possible.

We will also need TWO 220Volt electricity generators with a power of about 2 kW (2000Watts each) in order to be able to use our power amplifiers all day.

We need to borrow or hire 2 generators in Galkayo.

With the help of your local people we need to find suitable places to install the generators.

Generators make some noise, which is not nice at night if we are close to houses.

The generators might be on all night so they need to operate from somewhere where people are not sleeping and will not complain about noise.

A generator is especially important for our first amateur radio station because it will also use a High Power Linear Amplifier on 1.8 and 3.5 MHz to transmit on Morse code (CW) and Radio Teletype (RTTY). More power is normally needed to make overseas contacts on the 1.8 and 3.5 MHz bands.

We hope we have been able to explain our DX-pedition (radio holiday) plans and all the difficulties we'll have to address together with our local friends, and the reasons that lead us to such plans.

We are friendly people, who like travelling and amateur radio, so we are looking forward making new friends in Somalia and many radio contacts from Somalia in two weeks of intense radio operating.

We understand that more serious problems may exist in the country, and that our interests and our contributions are only limited to amateur radio.

However, we believe that a small contribution is probably better than no contribution, and we hope that local people may welcome us as friends, as it happened in the many places we have visited in the past.

Looking forward meeting all the Somali hams in February 2005.

Regards from the 6O0CW team leader of the 5 Italian ham radio operators.

73 ciao, Silvano Borsa, Italy amateur radio call sign I2YSB, (Somalia visitor ham radio call sign 6O0CW).

Diane Main VK6KYL, VK4KYL, 6O0YL.

Member of Rotary Australia and supporter of Radio Galkayo.

Somalia visitor amateur radio call sign 6O0YL.

At Bossasso (Bosasso, Bossaso) airport in 1997.

Photo 22 by 6O0X.

At the time before Galkayo airport was operational overseas visitors had a 700 km road trip from Bossasso to Galkayo (Gaalkacyo, Galkacyo, Galkaacyo, Gaalkaacyo, Galcaio).

1997 Radio Galkayo staff welcome Bill and Diane to Somalia.

Diane Main VK6KYL, VK4KYL, 6O0YL and Bill Main VK4ZD, VK6ZX, 6O0X from Western Australia.

Top row, Left to right- 1. Mohamed Yasin Isak 6O0MY,

2. Mohamed Jama Osman (Director of Radio Galkayo 1997).

3. Diane Main VK6KYL, VK4KYL, 6O0YL.

4. Bill Main VK4ZD, VK6ZX, 6O0X.

5. Abdulahi Abdi Hirsi, 600CC.

6. Aden Nur Mohamud 6O0N.

Bottom row, Left to right- Mohamoud Abdi Omar Adooyo 6O0D,

Hassan Mohamed Jama 6O0XJ,

Burhan Mahamed Abdi 6O0AP.

Galkayo, Somalia 1997.

Photo 23 by 6O0X.

Contact: Sam Voron VK2BVS, 6O0A.

Email somaliahamradio@yahoo.com