JY74X/Z - THE JOINT JORDANIAN-ISRAELI OPERATION
THE FULL REPORT
The preliminary arrangements had been going on for a very short period of time.
Everything was set and the final word would be coming from the Royal Palace in Amman,
depending on His Majesty's schedule.
Word of the proposed date was transmitted by fax to Amir 4X6TT, and he made all the
calls and arrangements.
On Wednesday evening I received a call, just stating that I was requested to join this
operation, and that the team is leaving on Monday the 24th of July.
I asked just a few questions, who is going, where do we stay, what about a visa for Jordan,
what about transportation, etc.
The answer was simple, "It's all been taken care of, just come." I was doubtful and
couldn't believe it, until I phoned the Secretary of the Jordanian Amateur Radio Club,
Mohammed JY4MB, with whom I've been in regular contact, as we have met at many
occasions at international conferences and meetings, and have spend many hours planning
and discussing joint co-operation between our two societies.
He was pleased to tell me, "I'll see you in a few days here in Amman."
He confirmed the entire plan, saying, "What are you worried about? Everything is taken
care off, just make sure that at 10 AM on Monday you're at Allenby crossing.
"Salaam - Shalom, see you on Monday!"
After checking my passport's validity, I dug up a small suitcase, prepared film and
batteries for the picture and video cameras, I was ready to go. At the Allenby bridge, the
Jordan-Israel border crossing, everyone involved did his utmost to make our passage as
fast and easy as possible.
No wonder! The border officials had received advance notice of our program and the
intended operation by none other than the Royal Court in Amman, as we later found out.
It was the first time ever that Israeli radio amateurs would be crossing the border to
operate with Jordanian amateurs in their country.
Within 30 minutes of our arrival at the border, the gate was opened and our mini van was
allowed to bring our equipment to the other side.
It was quickly transferred to one of the Jordanian vehicles that was awaiting us.
After greeting Mohammed JY4MB, who came specially to welcome us, and our escort, we
made our way in a convoy of Royal Palace cars to Amman, the capital of the Hashemite
Kingdom of Jordan.
First we checked into our hotel, put our personal belongings there and after a quick lunch
we made our way to the clubhouse of the Royal Jordanian Amateur Radio Society.
We unpacked the equipment from the van and started to set up the different stations.
Within an hour of our arrival, the first station, JY74X, was on the air.
We were joined by our Jordanian friends and as the day progressed more transceivers
were pressed into service on different bands and modes.
Three members of the group went with an escort to Mount Nebo, about 60 km. south-west
of Amman, to check out the site and to start setting up in order that on the 25th of July
operation JY74Z from this site could begin.
It was especially important to get on the air on this day, as the whole mission was
dedicated to 'The First Anniversary of the Washington Declaration' which took place
at the White House. One year after signing the Principles of Peace between Jordan and
Israel, radio amateurs of both countries got together to put this DX-pedition on the air
and handle the pile-ups.
Early in the morning on Tuesday July 25th the entire team assembled in the hotel lobby
and our awaiting Royal car and escort took us to Mount Nebo, elevation about 800 meters
above sea level, an hour's drive from Amman.
As soon as we arrived we began operating.
One by one the transmitters fired up on the air on SSB and CW. Frequently we had to
change operators, because of the terrible 40 degree Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) heat that
prevailed at the time in our tents. The pile-ups were ear shattering.
After supper, provided by the Marriott Hotel Catering Service and brought to the
mountain site, the team split into two groups. One stayed overnight on Mount Nebo, in the
seemingly freezing cold. Temperatures in the dessert change dramatically to extremes
during day and night. The other group went down to the city, to operate from the
club-house in Amman.
The next day, Wednesday July 26th, the program was the same as the day before, but the
heat was worse. The highlight of the day was the appearance of none other than
His Majesty King Hussein JY1, on the air on both HF and VHF. The excitement and
enthusiasm increased as everyone of the team present had a chance to have a QSO with
His Highness from his QTH in Amman.
Afterwards the pile-ups doubled, the frenzy on the HF went out of control and His
Majesty decided to QRT and maybe appear at a later hour and try again.
Later that day, around 5 PM, we were honored as His Majesty arrived in person at the
Mount Nebo site. 'This is JY74X and JY1 at the microphone'
The word most used during that half hour or so, was 'stand by, stand by.'
Amateurs around the globe just did not listen, each one thinking that he will make it
through. But only those that have been on the other end of a pile-up know that the colossal
noise created at such moments gives cause to the big switch being pulled.
His Majesty put down the microphone and signed the log. For a few lucky ones this will be
the most unforgettable and special QSO ever.
Meanwhile refreshments were being served, and a lively, pleasant eyeball QSO ensued.
Thursday July 27th was supposed to be the final day. During the morning hours our driver
took all of us on a sightseeing tour of the city, after which we returned to 'The Mountain'
and continued again with the pile-ups. As the day progressed it became clear to us, that it
could not be the final day of operation, as on Friday the Jordanian part of the border is
closed and on Saturday the Israeli side is shut down. At various times during the day His
Majesty JY1, came on the HF frequency and the frenzy on the bands continued. During the
night it was the same. As word spread that there would be a special QSL card for this
occasion, the amateur radio world tried to work the two stations on every band and mode
possible.
Friday July 28th in the morning we were summoned to the residence of His Highness Raad
Bin Zeid JY2RZ, the Chairman of the Royal Jordanian Amateur Radio Society, to receive
officially and personally our Jordanian operating licenses.
At the end of this eyeball QSO it was decided to go back to work. His Highness JY2RZ
would come on frequency and take some calls. Enthusiastically we went back to the
Mountain, tried to regulate the pile-up, as the two most wanted Jordanian call signs came
on the air simultaneously.
What resulted that afternoon was monstrous, it unleashed a free-for-all on the HF bands,
uncontrollable even by the best of operators. 'Stand by, staaaaand by, quiet!" But nobody
listened and the roar continued. The few very lucky ones that 'made the contact' must still
have adrenaline running through their veins.
At sunset, we took time out, to a most elaborate barbecue, prepared for us by the
Marriott Catering Service, with a most unforgettable view as background.
From Mount Nebo one can oversee the Jordan Valley, the Dead See on the one side,
Jericho and the river Jordan on the other. As the sun set, the colors of the landscape
below and on the horizon were exquisite. Here on this spot Moses went to the top of Mount
Nebo, and The Lord said to him, "This is the land which I swore to Abraham, Isaac,
and Jacob that I would give to their descendants." (Deuteronomy).
Later that evening, the pile-ups reverted to their normal state that we had gotten used to
during the days and nights before.
Saturday July 29th, really the last day of this very special operation, we decided that
later in the afternoon the stations would be dismantled and antennas taken down. The
multitude of equipment that we brought had to be packed and made ready for the return
trip. At approximately midday, once more the frenzy peaked, as one more time
His Majesty JY1, came on the band from his Palace QTH in the southern city of Aqaba.
Unfortunately the HF propagation was very bad, and very few had a chance for a contact.
We at Mount Nebo, could not hear him, so the net control was done somewhere in Europe.
We left Mount Nebo, had one more look at the unbelievable view of the surrounding
landscape and went downhill with all the equipment that over the past days had
accumulated at the site.
We made more than 15 thousand QSO's on all the bands except 160 meters. Repeatedly
we gave our QSL info, so here it is one more time: All QSL's go via JY6ZZ, direct or
bureau.
We arrived at the hotel in the afternoon. Tired and dusty we rested a bit and took a well
deserved shower, prepared ourselves for the festive dinner that we were invited to by
His Highness Raad Bin Zeid JY2RZ, Chairman of RJARS.
At the appointed time we all assembled at his residence, the designated place, where our
fellow Jordanian Amateurs who had been with us all the time, joined us. We discussed the
pile-ups, the activity of the past days and the plans for the future. We were taken
completely by surprise, when His Majesty King Hussein JY1, arrived and joined us for the
evening dinner. Many anecdotes told and pictures taken. For us six Israeli hams, it was the
ultimate climax of an incredibly successful and special DX-pedition. We hope that we will
have yet many more opportunities to work together with our fellow hams from JY-land.
Sunday July 30th we packed the equipment, cleaned up the mess, gathered and signed the
logbooks, got our few personal belongings from the hotel, returned the keys and
everything was ready for the return trip. Shaking hands and saying good-by, was certainly
not easy after such a week. Then the cars started to move, it took us the same amount of
time to drive back and cross the border. Within a few hours we were back in the bustling
Tel Aviv traffic, back to reality, everything looking like a dream, a dream that had come
true.
Allow me to say a word of thanks to Amir 4X6TT, who co-ordinated the hole event, and to
the most wonderful team of Israeli operators for making this such a memorable week.
Special thanks to the JY operators, friends, partners in the task to control the QRM of
the pile-ups. It was great being together with you for this momentous and historical
performance.
Extraordinary thanks to Mohammed JY4MB, Secretary of RJARS, who orchestrated,
guided, and supported the whole operation, from the beginning until the end, for his
endurance in staying with us the whole time.
Extraordinary thanks to Ibrahim JY5IM, for the endless technical support, for keeping
the towers and antennas up and the amplifiers running.
Exceptional thanks to Ali Shoukri JY3AK, of the Royal Palace for the intermediary, the
logistics and support.
And last but certainly not least, there are no words of thanks to describe the
appreciation, gratitude, and most wonderful hospitality, from all of us,to His Majesty, King
Hussein of Jordan, JY1, for all you have done for us.
Without your personal involvement and assistance this event could not have come to pass.
Salaam - Shalom,
Joseph Obstfeld 4X6KJ-JY8KJ
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His Majesty King Hussein JY1
