About VK9XY
Something truly special is happening this November — a DXpedition that is not only technically ambitious but also offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for young amateur radio operators to experience DXpeditioning at the highest level for the very first time.
The VK9XY DXpedition, our third DXpedition in three years, will activate Christmas Island (IOTA OC-002) with a youth-led international team of eight young operators — including hams from the United States, Lithuania, and Malawi — led by Max Freedman (N4ML). Veteran DXpeditioners Gregg W6IZT and Glenn W0GJ join the team on-island purely as advisors and mentors; the planning and the on-air work belong to the young ops. Additionally, 30–40 young hams worldwide will join remotely using the innovative NexGen RiB2 remote stations, made possible through an equipment grant from the Northern California DX Foundation. The dates of operation are November 16 to December 4, 2026 — roughly eighteen days on the air from one of the Indian Ocean's rarest and most remote entities.
With its focus on hands-on leadership, training, and knowledge transfer, this is more than a DXpedition — it is an investment in the future of our hobby.
Our goal is to fully cover the travel and operational expenses of every one of our young team members — so that financial circumstances are never a barrier to participation for these enthusiastic and dedicated young hams.
We are not operating from an existing station. The team will set up four local stations and two remote stations, plus a portable QO-100 satellite station, operating CW, SSB, FT8, and QO-100 satellite from more than one location on the island. There will be no unattended QSOs.
Youth-Led Planning. This expedition is run by its young operators. Each young op owns a defined area of responsibility — from fund-raising and logistics to station and antenna planning, operating strategy, logging, pilot coordination, and remote-operator support — with Gregg W6IZT and Glenn W0GJ on hand to advise. The result is real ownership and real skill-building. We are preparing these young hams to become the DXpedition leaders of the next generation. Their planning and on-island progress will be shared with our donors and sponsors along the way.
A Special Thank You — With a Downloadable Certificate of Appreciation! Every donor, and every member of a club that supports our project, will receive a personalized, downloadable certificate of appreciation as a token of our sincere gratitude. It's something to display proudly — because you believed in the future of amateur radio.
Meet the Team on Christmas Island. We plan several podcasts from the island. You will have the opportunity to hear from the young ops firsthand while they are on the island. We will announce the schedule as our departure date approaches.
How You Can Help. Without the support of clubs and individuals, this expedition would not be possible. Your donation helps us create a truly transformative experience for the next generation of DXpeditioners.
As radio amateurs, we have always stood together. Now we invite you to help make a lasting impact by supporting this ambitious DXpedition — one that trains, uplifts, and inspires tomorrow's leaders. Every donation counts — and just as importantly, please help us spread the word!
Thank you for believing in the next generation!
73,
The VK9XY DXpedition Team
The Pacific Islands DX Group is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit foundation. Your donation may be tax-deductible as allowed by law. Please consult your tax professional.