Made 10m contact with Norway today (no luck with Bouvet Island)

Bouvet Island has had a tremendous amount of attention from radio amateurs around the world this past week.  A DX expedition has been operating from the island under difficult conditions.

Bouvet Island, is located in the South Atlantic Ocean.  It is one of the world’s most isolated islands.  It is located 1,500 miles (2,400 km) southwest of the Cape of Good Hope of Africa and about 1,000 miles (1,600 km) north of the mainland of Antartica.

Bouvet Island

Bouvet Island is a rare DX location and contacts with the island are highly sought after by all those who chases DX in amateur radio.  For older hams, the DX expedition operating now, is possibly the opportunity of a lifetime to make the contact.  There will likely not be another DX expedition to Bouvet Island for many years to come.  The expedition will be pulling out on Monday, so it appears I have missed my opportunity.  Maybe next time.

I have been listening for the 3Y0J Bouvet Island station unsuccessfully.  There are an overwhelming number of stations calling.  It seems unlikely I will log a contact with the DX expedition given the propagation conditions and intense pileup.  Never say never though.  I will keep listening and call if the opportunity presents itself.

The best way to follow the Bouvet Island DX expedition operating schedule is via the 3Y0J facebook page.  They seem to have two simultaneous stations running.  The DX expedition could certainly use more given the worldwide demand.  Unfortunately, the island's difficult conditions seem to have interfered with logistics and plans.  We wish everyone on the crew a safe expedition and return trip home.

Overall, it was a good day for DX.  I logged a contact with 3C3CA (Ersoy) in Equatorial Guinea on 17m FT8 and LB6B (Ingebrigt) in Norway on 10m FT8.  Conditions were quite good.  Perhaps a bit quieter than usual by virtue of so many stations off chasing Bouvet and leaving the good DX for the rest of us.  Norway on 10m was the last band I needed (other than 160m).  This was my first contact with Equatorial Guinea.

Hoping to make contact with 5Z4VJ (Andy) in Kenya yet this weekend...

Good DX and 73, NJ2X