DXpedition to FT/X - Kerguelen Island

The increasingly well-known international DXer, Mirek Rozbicki, VK6DXI, has been invited to participate in a major DXpedition to FT/X, the island of Kerguelen, and he's accepted the challenge.

The island, part of an archipelago, is situated some 49 degrees south, and 70 degrees east, which puts it midway between Australia, Antarctica and Africa. The entire group is a French possession, but it's deep in the southern Indian Ocean.

The main island is more than 100km long and wide, but its coast is rough and hard to land on, while its interior is heavily glaciated. The highest point is Mount Ross, which is more than 1800 metres high.

The NCDXF-sponsored operation is scheduled to take place
between March 10 and April 10 this year, and is being organised by another well-known DXer, James 9V1YC.
Of course, operation will be on all HF bands.

The group expects some two weeks on the island, with sea travel consuming the other two weeks. Vessel Braveheart should carry the expedition team from Durban, South Africa.

Once the team leaves Kerguelen, current plans call for their vessel to head north-east to Perth, to arrive around the 10th of April, weather permitting.

This is no feeble wish, either. All required approvals are in place, and the final operating licence has been issued, but the group has decided not to reveal the callsign for a while yet.

The DXpedition team will consist of some 12 operators from Asia, North America, Europe, Africa and, of course, Australia.

It's amazing that we could be so lucky to have not one but two major, well-funded Antarctic DXpeditions on the calendar so close together. don't forget that the Peter 1 operation as 3 Yankee zero X-ray is expected on the air from January 21 to February 4.

To follow with such a rarity as Kerguelen is cream on the dessert. It is getting harder by the day to get permission to operate from such remote and restricted places as these, and Mirek points out that it is also becoming more and more expensive to mount such major trips.

One thing's for sure, Mirek. Lots and lots of people will be
anxiously waiting for those signals. Congratulations on the
invitation, and VK1WIA wishes you a safe journey and bounteous DX.

If you'd like to be in contact with Mirek, VK6DXI, he's provided us with this E-mail address: mirelec@singnet.com.sg

Source: Wireless Institute of Australia

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