Topic Snapshot
| Subject | Active and upcoming DX expeditions |
|---|---|
| Post idea from | Mariusz Szpryngacz – AD9DU |
| Organizer for this SARC information page | Paul Meyes – KE9EJX |
| Audience | Members, visitors, new hams, the public, operators, and volunteers |
| Source list | HF DXpeditions — Active & Upcoming, compiled September 24, 2026; supplied for this article |
| Page update | September 28, 2026; a dated planning guide, not a live activity feed |
| Coverage | All 17 entries from the supplied list, including completed or postponed operations and two planning items for 2027 |
| First step | Choose one station, check its latest announcement, and listen before calling. |
Read the Schedule Before You Tune
Dates describe announced operating windows, not continuous activity. Travel, weather, equipment, and local conditions can change a plan. Check the team’s official page or the operator’s latest announcement before setting aside operating time. A station listed here may be off the air when you listen.
The tables retain the supplied list’s destinations, operating plans, and QSL information, with changes identified where sources differ. All dates are in 2026 unless 2027 is specifically shown. “Holiday-style” means operating when the visitor has time. “QSL” means confirmation of a radio contact.
Active or Scheduled Within the Current Window
| Station and destination | Announced dates | Bands and modes | Operating notes and QSL |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5W0AF Samoa |
September 21–October 12 | 40–10 meters; SSB. Possible 80-meter activity is uncertain. | Jacek, SP5EAQ, reported operating at 100 watts after an amplifier failure. A loan amplifier was expected from September 28; check for confirmation. QSL through SP7DQR’s OQRS, the bureau, or LoTW.[2] |
| C21DA Nauru / Naoero |
Through October 5 | 80, 40, 20, 17, 15, 12, and 10 meters; SSB only | Darren’s holiday-style operation from Meneng District. The supplied list and an operator-news heading say VK2MAP, while the announcement’s QSL instructions specify VK4MAP. Use the current C21DA instructions when requesting confirmation.[3] |
| JD1BON, JD1BOI, JE1NVD/JD1, JI1CRM/JD1 Chichijima, Ogasawara; IOTA AS-031 |
September 24–October 6 | 160–6 meters; CW, SSB, FT8, and FT4 | The supplied list and 425 DX News identify JI1LET as JD1BOI; NG3K lists JD1BOK. Confirm the call actually transmitted. QSL routes vary by operator: check LoTW availability and direct-to-home-call instructions.[4][5] |
| FR/F1TEQ, then FH/F1TEQ Réunion, then Mayotte |
Réunion: September 19–26 Mayotte: September 26–30 |
20, 15, and 10 meters; SSB | Ludovic, F1TEQ, plans spare-time operation. The Réunion window has passed; Mayotte is the remaining scheduled opportunity. Check F1TEQ’s QRZ page for updates and QSL instructions.[4] |
| VK1AX Deal Island, Australia; IOTA OC-195 |
Through late November | 80–10 meters; FT8 and some SSB | John, VK1AX, operates in his spare time. The supplied list does not specify a QSL route; confirm it with the operator.[4] |
| V5/HB9SHD Namibia |
September 28–November 20 | HF; specific modes not stated in the supplied announcement | Remo, HB9SHD, plans holiday-style activity using an FT-891, tuner, end-fed antenna, and JPC-12 vertical. Confirm that operation has begun and check the operator’s QSL instructions.[6] |
Upcoming DX Expeditions
Next, consider adding one or two of these operations to your watch list. The larger team operations may offer several bands and modes, while a single visiting operator may have shorter operating periods.
| Station and destination | Announced dates | Bands and modes | Operating notes and QSL |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9T0MD Democratic Republic of the Congo |
September 30–October 11; an official-site listing also gives October 10 as the end date | 160–6 meters; SSB, CW, FT8, and RTTY. The supplied list also includes QO-100 and EME. | Mediterraneo DX Club team. Check its current frequency plan, specialty-mode plans, and final operating day. The supplied list describes the 9T prefix as a first-time activation; confirm that historical claim with the team. Follow the official QSL policy; IK2VUC is the listed log manager.[7][8] |
| V61GSE Weno Island, Chuuk, Micronesia; IOTA OC-011 |
October 1–7 | 80–6 meters; FT8, SSB, and CW | Takeo, JR1GSE, plans holiday-style activity with an inverted-V antenna. QSL through LoTW, eQSL, or Club Log OQRS.[9] |
| YJ1JXZ Port Vila, Vanuatu |
October 11–16 | 80–6 meters; modes not specified in the announcement | Aki, JK1JXZ, expects to operate after 5 p.m. Vanuatu local time on weekdays and throughout the weekend portion of his stay. These are destination times, not Chicago times. QSL through LoTW.[10] |
| 6W/I2YSB and 6W/IK2HKT Senegal |
October 28–November 9 | 160–6 meters; CW, SSB, and RTTY as 6W/I2YSB; FT8 as 6W/IK2HKT | Italian DXpedition Team operation. The announcement gives direct QSL via I2YSB. Consult the team’s site for its band plan, log, and request options.[4][11] |
| C8K Mozambique |
November 9–20 travel window Full operation planned November 12–18 |
160–6 meters, including 60 meters; SSB, CW, RTTY, FT8, FT4, and PSK; QO-100 also planned | Eight-operator Czech team with a low-band focus. Setup and packing days have limited activity. QSL via OK6DJ, OQRS, and LoTW.[12] |
| 3X4U Lac de Koba, Guinea |
November 11–23 in the supplied list and UBA announcement | HF; emphasis on CW and SSB. The supplied list describes 1 kW stations. | Belgian Rockall DX Group. Some notices give a wider November 10–24 window, so verify the operating dates with the team. QSL via M0URX’s OQRS.[13] |
| VK9XY Christmas Island; IOTA OC-002 |
November 16–December 4 | CW, SSB, and FT8; QO-100 also planned. Check the team’s band plan. | Pacific Islands DXpedition Group youth project with experienced mentors and Youth on the Air involvement. QSL requests go through M0OXO; see the team’s policy for direct, bureau, and LoTW options.[14][15] |
Looking Ahead to 2027
| Station and destination | Planning window | What to watch |
|---|---|---|
| VP8TOG Falkland Islands |
January 10–17, 2027 | Santiago, LU2DUR, has announced a single-operator visit. SSB is the main focus, with FT8 secondary; 10, 15, 20, 40, and possibly 80 meters are under consideration. His license extends to March 22, 2027, but that is not the announced operating end date. Equipment, locations, and QSL arrangements remain subject to updates.[16] |
| VU4 project Andaman Islands; IOTA AS-001 |
October 25–November 7, 2027, according to the supplied list | Planning watch: current official details were not independently reconfirmed for this update. The supplied plan lists 160–10 meters, including the 30-, 17-, and 12-meter WARC bands, all modes, and participation in the CQ World Wide SSB contest. VU4 is a prefix, not a complete expedition call sign. Check World DXpeditions for the final call, dates, modes, and QSL policy.[17] |
Updates to the Original Active List
Two entries should no longer be treated as current operating opportunities. They remain here so readers can reconcile this page with the supplied September list.
| Station | Original listing | Updated status |
|---|---|---|
| RI1FJZ Franz Josef Land |
Final days in late September; remaining antennas on 160, 80, and 40 meters. Earlier sources differed between September 25 and 29. | Ended operations. The departure report and subsequent team summary confirm the return voyage. Check the expedition’s log and QSL instructions rather than continuing to expect island activity.[18] |
| PS1A Algodão Island, Brazil; IOTA SA-029 |
September 24–26; PY4YY and PY2AE; 80–10 meters, CW, SSB, and FT8; Club Log / LoTW | Reported postponed. The originally announced dates have passed. Watch for a replacement announcement; a completed operation should not be assumed.[19] |
A Few Terms You Will See
These short definitions will help you read the tables. ARRL’s glossary and LoTW guide provide more background.[21][22]
- HF and band labels
- HF means high frequency. Labels such as “20 meters” name amateur bands. A range such as “160–6 meters” includes bands outside HF and does not promise activity on every band.
- SSB, CW, and digital modes
- SSB means single sideband voice. CW is Morse-code operation. FT8 and FT4 exchange short digital messages; RTTY means radioteletype, and PSK means phase-shift keying.
- QSO and QSL
- A QSO is a radio contact. A QSL confirms it. LoTW is ARRL’s Logbook of The World; OQRS means Online QSL Request System. Club Log may provide log searches or QSL requests, depending on the operation.
- IOTA and WARC
- IOTA means Islands On The Air; codes such as AS-031 identify island groups. The WARC bands commonly mean 30, 17, and 12 meters.
- QO-100 and EME
- QO-100 is an amateur satellite. EME means Earth–Moon–Earth, or moonbounce. These require suitable equipment and operating conditions; they are separate from ordinary HF contacts.
How to Participate
Choose One Station and Prepare
Start with a station using a band and mode your equipment supports. Have your radio manual, headphones, a notebook or logging program, and a current amateur band chart nearby. For digital operation, also have the appropriate software instructions available.
Before transmitting, check the frequency and mode privileges for your license. An expedition’s international band plan does not change U.S. operating privileges. Visitors without a license can begin by listening and asking an experienced member to explain what is happening.[20]
Listen First, Then Make a Short Call
A pileup is a group of stations calling the same operator. Listen for the expedition’s full call sign, whom it is answering, and where it wants callers to transmit. If it is working split, its transmit and receive frequencies are different. Check your own transmit frequency before calling.[1]
- Hear or decode the expedition yourself before calling.
- Follow its instructions, including any request for a particular region or partial call sign.
- Send your full call sign clearly, then listen.
- Wait while the operator finishes another contact.
- When answered, provide the requested exchange and confirm that your call was copied correctly.
For FT8 or FT4, follow the team’s current software and operating-mode instructions. Do not assume every expedition uses the same digital configuration.
Log the Contact and Check Later
Record the call sign, date, UTC time, band, mode, and reports exchanged. UTC means Coordinated Universal Time; use it consistently rather than mixing it with Chicago local time.
Next, check the expedition’s online log when available. Allow for upload delays, and follow its correction process if something is missing. Use the stated QSL route before sending a card or requesting confirmation.
Suggested SARC Goals
These are suggested personal and club-learning goals, not scheduled SARC events.
| Member or visitor type | Suggested goal | Useful result |
|---|---|---|
| Visitor or prospective ham | Listen with an experienced operator and identify one expedition’s call sign. | Learn what a real DX exchange sounds like. |
| Newly licensed operator | Choose one permitted band and mode, then practice listening and making a clear call. | Build confidence with the radio and operating procedure. |
| Operator with a modest station | Try several short listening sessions and record when the signal becomes readable. | Learn which conditions work for your station. |
| Digital-mode operator | Verify the team’s settings and complete one correctly logged contact. | Practice disciplined operation and confirmation. |
| Experienced DX operator | Help another member understand split operation or review a difficult contact. | Share a skill that makes the next attempt easier. |
| Volunteer or mentor | Suggest a listening demonstration or share a concise operating report. | Give members and visitors a practical way to learn together. |
Give It a Try
You do not need to work every expedition to enjoy this part of amateur radio. Choose one call sign, learn about its destination, and spend a little time listening. Even an unsuccessful attempt can teach you something useful about your antenna, radio, or timing.
Then, bring your results and questions to SARC. Share the call sign, band, mode, UTC time, and what helped you hear the station. If you are just getting started, visit a SARC meeting and ask about learning alongside another operator.
Pick one expedition, check its latest update, and give it a try. We look forward to hearing what you learn.
Choose one DXpedition, check the latest team announcement, and share your contact or listening report with SARC.
References
- Chasing DX. ARRL. Definitions, pileups, and operating guidance. Back to text.
- 5W0AF — Samoa. DX-World; updates from Jacek, SP5EAQ. Back to text.
- C21DA — Naoero / Nauru. DX-World; operator announcement and QSL instructions. Back to text.
- 425 DX News, Bulletin 1846. A.R.I. DX Bulletin; edited by I1JQJ and IK1ADH. Back to text.
- Announced DX Operations. NG3K. Cross-check schedules and operator-specific QSL information. Back to text.
- V5/HB9SHD — Namibia. DX-World. Back to text.
- 9T0MD Official Expedition Website. Mediterraneo DX Club. Back to text.
- 9T0MD Expedition Announcement. Mediterraneo DX Club; announced September 30–October 11 window. Back to text.
- V61GSE — Weno Island, F.S.M.. DX-World; announcement from Takeo, JR1GSE. Back to text.
- YJ1JXZ — Vanuatu. DX-World; announcement from Aki, JK1JXZ. Back to text.
- Senegal DXpedition. Italian DXpedition Team. Back to text.
- Mozambique 2026 — C8K. Czech DXpedition Team. Back to text.
- Belgian DXpedition to Guinea. UBA. The VA3RJ DX Activity Calendar lists a wider window. Consult the Rockall DX Group expedition website for current plans. Back to text.
- About VK9XY. Pacific Islands DXpedition Group. Back to text.
- VK9XY QSL Information. Pacific Islands DXpedition Group. Back to text.
- VP8TOG — Falkland Islands. DX-World; announcement from Santiago, LU2DUR. Back to text.
- Andaman Project. World DXpeditions. Official update destination named in the supplied planning sheet; the current schedule was not independently reconfirmed. Back to text.
- RI1FJZ — Franz Josef Land: Departure and Team Summary. DX-World; reports from the expedition team. Back to text.
- PS1A — Algodão Island, SA-029. DX-World; postponement notice. Back to text.
- U.S. Amateur Radio Frequency Allocations. ARRL. Back to text.
- Ham Radio Glossary. ARRL. Back to text.
- About Logbook of The World. ARRL. Back to text.