Young Operators to Lead Christmas Island DXpedition

One of amateur radio's most anticipated DXpeditions of 2026 is shaping up with a strong focus on developing the next generation of DXers.

From 16 November to 4 December 2026, the Pacific Islands DXpedition Group (PIDXG), in cooperation with Youth on the Air (YOTA), plans to activate Christmas Island (VK9X) using the callsign VK9XY. The expedition will be led by a team of young amateur radio operators, with experienced DXpeditioners Glenn Johnson W0GJ and Gregg Marco W6IZT serving as mentors and advisors.

VK9XY aims to give amateurs around the world the opportunity to work the rare DXCC entity on all HF bands using CW, SSB and FT8, as well as via the QO-100 amateur satellite. Beyond the on-island operation, an additional 30 to 40 young operators from around the world will also gain valuable DXpedition experience through the NexGenRiB2 remote station network, allowing them to participate without travelling to Christmas Island.

The team is seeking financial support to help cover travel, freight, permits, communications and operating costs. Supporters will receive a personalised downloadable supporter certificate, with recognition levels ranging from Bronze through to Diamond.

If you'd like to learn more about the expedition or support the project, visit Link or the Pacific Islands DXpedition Group website at Link. Whether you're chasing a new one in the log or encouraging the next generation of DXers, VK9XY promises to be one of the highlights of the 2026 DX calendar.

Page Last Updated: Monday, 27 Jul 2026 at 09:04 hours by Justin Giles-clark

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