For legions of longtime DXers, Bouvet Island (3Y) remains an elusive gem in their DXCC crown. And while North Korea (P5) may stand as the undisputed Holy Grail of contacts right now, reaching the volcanic, seal- and penguin populated shores of the world’s most remote island isn’t far behind on many an operator’s bucket list. How remote? The closest land to Bouvet Island is Queen Maud Land, Antarctica, which is over 1,090 miles away, making travel to the island a challenge that few brave Hams have attempted over the years.
Now the Good News!
If you’re an operator who was disappointed by 3Y0Z’s noble but aborted attempt at Bouvet in 2018, or who missed out on the one-man DXpedition by late NASA astronaut Charles E. “Chuck” Brady two decades ago (17,000 QSOs!), or who couldn’t break through the pileups during 3Y5X in 1989, it’s time to once again start sharpening your DXing skills, upgrading your station, and dreaming about putting this ultra-rare entity in your log book. Better start now—you have approximately one year and seven months to get ready.
The Intrepid-DX Group has announced plans for the 3Y0J DXpedition to Bouvet Island, scheduled for January/February 2023. On the heels of its successful DX Engineering-supported VP8STI, South Sandwich and VP8SGI, South Georgia DXpeditions in 2016, the group trained its sights on Bouvet Island—an activation fraught with high expenses, logistical barriers, harsh weather, and dangers for anyone who signs up for the journey. A highly skilled 14-member team, co-led by Paul Ewing, N6PSE, and Norwegian DXpeditioner Ken Opskar, LA7GIA, are looking to make 100,000-plus QSOs on 160-10M, weather permitting, of course.
Joining 3Y0J will be corporate sponsors, including DX Engineering, who heavily supported the 3Y0Z DXpedition with gear and a custom-made 90-foot top-loaded 160M vertical antenna. While not employed on Bouvet Island, the antenna made its highly praised debut battling the high winds on Pitcairn Island in 2019 during the VP6R DXpedition. (The 160M will not be making this trip to Bouvet.) In addition to benefiting from newly supplied DX Engineering equipment, 3Y0J will make use of items DX Engineering provided for the VP8STI, South Sandwich and VP8SGI, South Georgia DXpeditions.
For the full story on where the DXpedition stands, who will be part of the team, and the support that will be needed moving forward, take a few minutes to watch Tim Duffy, K3LR, DX Engineering CEO, interview 3Y0J co-leader Paul, N6PSE.
For up-to-date information on 3Y0J, check out their official website and Facebook page.
