The latest press release from the 3Y0K team on their trip to Bouvet next year. This will be an All Time New One for me as I missed out on the last time they were down there not having any antennas up at home. Please donate as much as you can afford to help these guys out, almost all are personal friends of mine.
In February 2026 or in less than a year an international team of 24 amateur radio operators will land on Bouvet Island. Bouvet is a Norwegian overseas territory and lies in the South Atlantic Ocean, with 93% of its surface covered by ice and snow. It sets the record as the Most Remote Uninhabited Island on Earth, and ranks #10 on the Most Wanted DXCC listing at ClubLog.
Operating as 3Y0K, our team will attempt to give as many ATNOs as possible and be active in all amateur radio bands from 10 to 160 m. We will direct our attention to human modes but will be active in CW, SSB, FT8, RTTY and QO-100 satellite using 12 stations.
We have the necessary permit to land on Bouvet Island by helicopter, issued by the Norwegian Polar Institute. Our plan is to start the sea journey in Cape Town, South Africa, from where an icebreaker under Icelandic flag we’ll take us to the island in 7 days. Since landing depends on the weather conditions, we are scheduled to be on and around the island for up to 21 days. A helicopter will assist us in bringing ashore a significant amount of equipment to setup two separate camps: one on the lower platform at Cape Fie, and a second on the top platform there, focused on North America.
The logistics behind this project is complex and requires a budget of $1.65M. Most of the money is used to pay for the services offered by the icebreaker and its crew, the helicopter with its two pilots and one mechanic, as well as the fuel. Each team member is contributing a significant amount to the budget, and they will also incur additional costs for commercial airfare, two side trips to Norway required by various tasks, winter sleeping bags and clothing, etc.
Passionate amateur operators and clubs around the world as well as multiple companies are supporting this project. As prime example, Northern California DX Foundation (NCDXF) have pledged up to $200K, of which half matched against donations received from outside of North America. Companies such as DX Engineering, Icom, RF Power and ACOM are supporting the team with a multitude of radio equipment components. We also teamed up with a small private group to share the large costs of the DXpedition.
Don’t hesitate to visit our website to read more about this project, the team, the latest news, and learn about the complex preparations the team is engaged in to ensure that its mission will be executed safely and successfully. At this time we are looking to raise an additional $200K to avoid putting further financial strain on the team. Please consider donating to this project. We will be only happy to make a Zoom presentation about it to your membership at a time of your convenience.
Thank you in advance for your support, and look forward to contacting you from the Most Remote Uninhabited Island on Earth!
Team 3Y0K