FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 29, 2026
Contact: Max Freedman, N4ML This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
The Pacific Islands DXpedition Group (PIDXG), in partnership with Youth on the Air (YOTA) announces that our young operator team has now grown to ten operators from six countries and five continents. These young amateurs bring a remarkable combination of contesting experience, technical expertise, engineering skills, and—most importantly—a passion for DX.
Meet the Newest Members of the VK9XY Team
Carter Bailey, KN4DLY, is twenty-three and comes to VK9XY from Northeast Georgia. Licensed at just 13 years old, Carter has remained active in his local amateur radio community, serving on repeater committees and helping maintain and support radio infrastructure.
His interests span repeater systems, digital modes, microwave RF, and tower and antenna work—skills that should prove particularly useful during VK9XY.
Outside amateur radio, Carter works in the A/V industry as a systems integrator and audio engineer. He also holds an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate and has experience with a variety of UAV platforms.
Carter is looking forward to putting his skills to work on the island and becoming part of the VK9XY team. For Carter, VK9XY will also be a first: his first opportunity to operate amateur radio outside the United States.
Violetta Latham, KN2P, has been licensed since 2014 and already has significant DX and contesting experience.
Violetta joined the E51MWA DXpedition team in 2025 and is currently involved in planning the VP0SG DXpedition to South Georgia Island in 2027. Her contesting experience includes operations from some of the world's premier contest stations, including K3LR, W3LPL, HQ9X, PJ2T, and J62K.
She serves as a director on the board of the Northern California DX Foundation (NCDXF) and as the ARRL Section Youth Coordinator for Colorado.
And radio is not Violetta's only passion. She is a commercial pilot and flight instructor in Colorado Springs and is completing a degree in Aviation Management.
Violetta brings a wealth of operating and expedition experience to VK9XY—and we are excited to have her on the team.
Otto Pattemore, VK4OTZ, is 18 years old and was first licensed in 2022 at the age of fourteen.
Otto's path into amateur radio began with model rocketry and telemetry systems. Once he discovered amateur radio, however, it quickly became his main hobby. He has already built considerable contesting experience, operating both as a single operator and as part of teams with other young Australian amateurs.
His two primary interests are contesting and DXing and designing radios and antennas. He is also studying electronic engineering, with plans to specialize in RF and communications systems.
For Otto, VK9XY will be a major milestone.
It will be his first DXpedition—and hopefully the first of many.
With the addition of these operators, the ten-member young operator team is now complete.
The young operators will be based at Mango Tree Lodge, where they will operate the main VK9XY station.
With the team growing to ten, veteran advisors Glenn Johnson, W0GJ, and Gregg Marco, W6IZT, will operate from Ruhma Tinngi, approximately five hundred yards to the west.
This arrangement will give the young operators room to run the operation while keeping experienced advisors close at hand when needed.
The Off-Island Team Is Growing Too
The VK9XY operation does not stop at the shores of Christmas Island.
Our off-island team has now grown to thirty-five operators from around the world, with plans to support as many as forty young operators. Demand has been so strong that we may need to expand that number.
These operators will provide an important second component of VK9XY, giving young amateurs around the world the opportunity to participate in the expedition while operating alongside the team on Christmas Island.
Contact Kees W0AAE This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Steve Ki4KWR This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you are a young op and interested in joining our off-island team.
The goal is simple: to put as many young operators as possible on the air with VK9XY.
How You Can Support Us
Fundraising is under way, with the goal of covering the costs for our young operators. With continued support we will reach this goal.
Donations can be made by PayPal to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by check payable to:
PACIFIC ISLANDS DXPEDITION GROUP
69 Saddleview Lane
Morganton, GA 30560
For more details, visit our website at vk9xy2026.com.
Thank you in advance for your support, your next contact might just be with a young operator running the pile-up, not just working it, for the very first time!
Max Freedman N4ML (22) grew up in Charleston, South Carolina and is the leader of the VK9XY Dxpedition. Licensed at age 12 in 2016, he quickly discovered DXing and contesting, developing a lifelong passion for all aspects of amateur radio. Max has already gained significant experience, participating in the 2025 PJ2 Youth DXpedition, the 2026 3Y0K Bouvet Island DXpedition, and competing in WRTC 2026. He also serves as a Director on the Board of the Northern California DX Foundation. Professionally, Max works with the ARRL Education department, developing resources that bring amateur radio into classrooms and inspire students. VK9XY represents another opportunity to combine his passion for DXpeditioning with his commitment to the future of amateur radio.
Urgent Jere, (19) 19, is a Malawian amateur radio operator known as 7Q6UJ and also holds a U.S. Extra Class license, W4UJ. He discovered amateur radio through Don Jones, K6ZO/7Q6M, during the CQWW SSB DX Contest and quickly developed a passion for CW and contesting. He has competed in CQWW twice, as 7Q1 in 2024 and 7Q1A in 2025. Urgent is an officer of the Malawi Amateur Radio Society, a member of CWOPS, PVRC, and ARRL, and a Volunteer Examiner. He is a first-year Computer Engineering student, and he is passionate about technology and engineering. This DXpedition offers Urgent an extraordinary opportunity to develop technical skills, travel internationally, and learn alongside other young operators.
Tyler Schroder, NT1S, (23) is an Amateur Extra Class operator from Maryland and a member of the VK9XY team. Introduced to amateur radio by his uncle in 2021, Tyler quickly became active with Yale’s W1YU club, managing its Earth-Moon-Earth station and supporting the ARRL Collegiate Amateur Radio Program. He served as CARP student lead at Dayton Hamvention and is treasurer of the Vienna Wireless Society (K4XY). VK9XY marks his first major DXpedition. Passionate about youth development, Tyler has led Volunteer Examiner teams for K4XY, Youth on the Air, and WY4RC, helping more than 300 people earn licenses. He is currently a PhD student studying Data Privacy at Dakota State University and a three-time ARDC scholarship winner.
Connor Black, W4IPC, (23) was licensed in 2018 at age 15 and quickly developed a passion for contesting and DXing through mentorship from accomplished contesters and membership in the Potomac Valley Radio Club. Today, Connor enjoys all aspects of amateur radio, from satellites to the low bands. He participated in the 2025 PJ2 Youth DXpedition, has supported the W3AO Field Day operation for several years, and competed in WRTC 2026. Connor brings valuable contesting and DX experience to the VK9XY team. Professionally, he is a live audiovisual technician, supporting major events at venues including the United Nations and other locations across the country. 
Lukas Bartkus, LY7J, (24) combines technology, competition, and adventure through amateur radio. Licensed in 2018 as LY1LB, he quickly developed a passion for HF contesting, earning strong results in international competitions. His interests have expanded to DXpeditioning, station engineering, antenna systems, and remote station technology. A professional photographer specializing in major sporting events and international productions, Lukas served as an official photographer at WRTC 2026. VK9XY will be his second major DXpedition, following 3D2Y Rotuma, where he served as both operator and team photographer. At VK9XY, Lukas brings these roles together, documenting the people, technical challenges, adventure, and shared experiences behind the expedition.
Máté Péter Tóth, HA1TMP,(22) is a 22-year-old Hungarian amateur radio operator whose passion for contesting began in 2023 after discovering ham radio through his mentor, HA1TNX. He quickly developed his skills through YOTA activities, contests, and operating at the HA6PX station, becoming an accomplished CW operator and proud member of the HA1KHJ contest team. His achievements include third place in the 2025 YOTA Contest and first place in the 2025 CQ WPX CW Contest Rookie category. A participant in YOTA Camps in 2024 and 2026, Peter sees VK9XY as a unique opportunity to further develop his skills and gain valuable DXpedition experience.
Hagi JJ1AHS (22) is a young Japanese amateur radio operator with a strong passion for HF contesting, DX, and developing the next generation of radio operators. Licensed since middle school, Higa has become an accomplished contester, achieving outstanding results in major international competitions. Operating both CW and SSB, he has earned top Japanese, Asian, and world-level Youth Overlay results, including a World #1 Youth result in the 2025 CQ WW DX SSB Contest. Hagi is also active in Youngsters on the Air (YOTA) and the Youth Contesting Program, sharing his experience through presentations and mentoring. I am excited to join the VK9XY team for my first major DXpedition. I look forward to learning from experienced operators, gaining hands-on experience, making thousands of contacts, while contributing to a young team that is helping shape the next generation of DXpedition operators.
Carter Bailey, KN4DLY (23) - Carter KN4DLY is a 23 year old from Northeast Georgia. Initially licensed at age 13, he is regularly active in his local amateur radio clubs where he serves on repeater committees and provides infrastructure support. His interests include repeater systems, digital modes, microwave RF and tower/antenna work.
Otto Pattemore, VK4OTZ (18), is 18 years old and was first licensed in 2022 when he was 14.
The Pacific Islands DXpedition Group (PIDXG) in partnership with Youth on the Air is proud to announce FlexRadio as a major sponsor of the VK9XY Christmas Island DXpedition, reinforcing a shared commitment to innovation, technical excellence, and developing the next generation of DXpedition leaders.
