Two VK0 Stations on Air from Australian Antarctica

Here’s a reminder for DXers to keep an ear, and perhaps more importantly these days an eye on the waterfall, pointed south. Two Australian radio amateurs are currently based at two different Australian Antarctic research stations and operating as time, work and Antarctic conditions permit. At Davis Station, David Short VK2JDS is operating as VK0DS, while at Casey Station, Tom Blunt VK2TBC is operating as VK0TBC. Opportunities to work Australian Antarctic stations are uncommon enough that having two active at the same time deserves a prominent place on the DX radar.

VK0DS at Davis is expected to remain there until around the end of October. DX-World reports David has been using an end-fed antenna from a 22-metre tower with plans for a V-beam array, operating whenever his station duties allow. David has previously demonstrated that Antarctic amateur radio need not stop at HF, having experimented with 2-metre EME from Davis during his earlier deployment. Meanwhile VK0TBC at Casey is Tom's 2026 Antarctic operation, with SSB and FT8 among his activities and operating necessarily fitted around his Antarctic duties. Casey is Australia's closest permanent Antarctic station, about 3,880 kilometres due south of Perth, while Davis is Australia's most southerly Antarctic station.

Both operations are a wonderful example of amateur radio reaching places most of us will only ever see on a map. Propagation, work commitments, weather and the realities of living on an Antarctic station mean neither operator can simply keep a regular DXpedition schedule, so watch the DX clusters, check the bands and keep an eye on FT8 activity. Whether you're chasing Antarctica for DXCC, Worked All Continents or simply want one of those contacts you'll remember for years, VK0DS and VK0TBC provide two very different paths into the frozen continent.

More information and operating updates:

VK0DS – Davis Station, Antarctica | DX-World Link

VK0TBC – Casey Station, Antarctica | DX-World Link

Page Last Updated: Friday, 28 Aug 2026 at 22:06 hours by Justin Giles-clark

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