FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 20, 2026                                          

Contact: Max Freeman, N4ML

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 Next Generation Takes the Lead: Announcing the 2026 VK9XY DXpedition to Christmas Island

The Pacific Islands DXpedition Group (PIDXG), in partnership with Youth on the Air (YOTA), is proud to announce a DXpedition to Christmas Island in November and December 2026 that will be planned, led, and operated by the next generation of DXers.

This is a milestone for our program. Across our recent DXpeditions, the role of young operators has grown at every step from remote operators on 3D2Y (Rotuma), to on-island team members on PJ6Y (Saba), and now to the leadership of the VK9XY team itself. For the first time, the veterans are the support crew. The eight-operator on-island team is composed entirely of operators under the age of 25, led by Max Freedman, N4ML. Veteran DXpeditioners Glenn Johnson, W0GJ, and Gregg Marco, W6IZT, join the team as on-island advisors and mentors. Confirmed team members include Connor Black, W4IPC; Tyler Schroder, NT1S; Lukas Bartkus, LY7J; and Urgent Jere, 7Q6UJ, several of whom cut their DXpedition teeth on 3D2Y and PJ6Y, first from the remote side and now leading in the DXpedition. We will be rounding out the team over the next few weeks.

“For a lot of us, DXpeditioning was always something we watched the previous generation do,” said Max Freedman, N4ML, team lead. “VK9XY flips that. This is our team and our operation, and it is our chance to show that the next generation isn’t waiting in the wings, we’re ready to run a major activation now.”

“My job on this one is to stay out of the way,” added Gregg Marco, W6IZT. “These operators have earned the lead. Glenn and I are here to guide the team through the planning process, not to run the show. That’s exactly the point.”

The team will arrive on Christmas Island on November 16 and be on the air through December 4, 2026 — approximately 18 days of operation.

The station plan calls for four local stations, two remote NexGenRiB2 stations operating over Starlink, and a portable QO-100 satellite station. Activity will be on 160–6 meters, plus satellite including QO-100. The team will participate in the CQWW CW Contest.

The youth leadership extends well beyond the island. We thank the Northern California DX Foundation (NCDXF) for a generous equipment grant funding the two NexGenRiB2 stations, which over Starlink — will put an additional 30 to 40 young operators worldwide behind the key and microphone at VK9XY. On the island and around the globe, this activation is by young operators, for young operators — the fullest expression yet of our mission to enable DXpeditioning for the next generation of amateur radio operators.

QSL via MØOXO (Charles Wilmott).

How You Can Support Us

Fundraising is under way, with the goal of covering the costs for our young operators. 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!