The leaders who will run tomorrow's DXpeditions are our young hams today.

VK9XY exists to change how they get there.

This November, eight young operators from the United States, Lithuania, and Malawi travel to Christmas Island (IOTA OC-002) — one of the Indian Ocean's rarest entities — to plan it, build it, and put it on the air themselves. Max Freedman (N4ML) leads the team; veteran DXpeditioners Gregg (W6IZT) and Glenn (W0GJ) are along strictly to advise. In partnership with YOTA — Youngsters On The Air — we hand young hams real responsibility on a real expedition, and then get out of their way.

It reaches far past the shoreline. Thanks to an equipment grant from the Northern California DX Foundation, 30–40 more young hams worldwide will operate VK9XY remotely over NexGenRiB2 stations, earning genuine DXpedition experience from their own shacks. On the air November 16 – December 4, 2026, this becomes one of the largest hands-on training grounds our hobby has run.

For most of these young ops, cost is the only thing between them and the island. Our promise is simple: every team member's travel and operating expenses covered in full, so no talented young operator is left home over money.

Your gift buys a seat on Christmas Island — and the skills and confidence that come with it. Every donor receives a personalized Certificate of Appreciation to download and display.

The Pacific Islands DX Group is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit foundation.
Donations may be tax-deductible as allowed by law.