A limited-term JARL event station commemorating the designation of Repsold Transit Telescope of the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (NAOJ) as an important cultural property of Japan.

The transit telescope is an instrument used to observe stars passing the meridian of the observer. This German-made Repsold transit telescope, originally installed at the Naval Observatory in 1881, is now restored and preserved at NAOJ in Mitaka City, Tokyo. Due to its historic value in the modern Japanese astronomy, the instrument was officially designated as an important cultural property in June 2011.

Images courtesy of NAOJ. From left to right: Photographed in Germany before being shipped to Japan; After restoration; NAOJ Mitaka Campus.

Station web site (sorry, only in Japanese): http://8j1m6o.akiba.coocan.jp/8j1r/

With the help from local amateur radio clubs and individual hams in Mitaka City and its vicinity, the station came on the air on as many bands/modes as possible and from various places, mostly from, but not limited to, JA1 area. The operators are grateful for over 12,000 FB QSOs established during the 80 days of uninterrupted operation, and would like to ask for your patience as we continue to work on our QSL/report confirmation.

QSL Policy - Unless requested otherwise, 8J1R QSL cards will be sent out via Bureau for every QSO, so you need not send in your individual requests so long as you are fine with the routing. Should you prefer QSLing direct, please send your SAE along with either 1 IRC or 2 GSs (we appreciate your understanding that 1 USD is no longer sufficient to cover our postage even to the neigboring Asia) to the QSL Manager JA1YSW at the above address, with "8J1R" printed as the addressee. We also accomodate electronic QSL confirmation via eQSL and LoTW. We request your indulgence for a possible delay in updating electronic log data, as it requires careful merging of individual logs of the memeber operators before they are uploaded.

QSL Cards - We are producing two types of differently designed cards as shown below. Our QSL manager will work diligently, but your reasonable patience is appreciated, especially for the Bureau cards. Left: for QSOs prior to Jan. 28, 2012, Right: for QSOs on or after Jan. 28, 2012

Photos: On January 28, 2012, active operators came on the air from NAOJ Mitaka Campus where the Repsold Transit Telescope is located.

8J1R Steering Committee; JA1KK, JA0ED, JA1AUC, JA1DOW, JA1ECU, JA1ILI, JA1IRH, JA1NEJ, JA1RTS, JA1UNS, JH1BSK, JH1XUP, JH1VVW, JR7GYC, JE1HRC, JE1QCL, JF1KIG, JG1IAV, JI1JRE, JI1KSI, JI1PLF, JI1XKH, JJ1TZB, JK1GMB, JK1LQB, JK1SPQ, JL1BHN, JL1FDX, JM1EJH, JM1KLO, JO1NFL, JO1SIM, JP1APV, JP1QGO, 7K3XGW, 7M1HLE

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