With this we start fundraising for our 3YØK Bouvet trip. At the time of our announcement we hold the only valid DXpedition callsign for Bouvet 3YØK, and we have signed on all contracts. We’re seeking donations to cover our $440,000 budget where today we already have secured 67% of the funds. Thus we need in the order of $150,000 which is significantly less than all previous DXpeditions to Bouvet. Some clubs and individuals have already donated – and we really appreciate it!
The team of 3 operators and 4 men support team will depart from Falkland island and will spend 14 days motor sailing to Bouvet. The vessel is a 65 ft steel motor sailer and is a former passenger vessel that has been refitted since 2020. After being refitted it will be considered as a new boat with all new interior and machine (5000h), two new masts, sails, genset, anchor, chain, all new hydraulics, EIRP, 12 men solas lift raft, radar, eco sounder, autopilot and increased fuel capacity and will be polar rated and with 5 water tight sections. Despite it is 65 ft, the storage capacity is likely better than Marama as in addition to main deck has one large roof deck. We have scrutinized the equipment list and have significantly reduced the total weight from a whopping 7 ton to a slim 2,1 ton that includes fuel. We have already prepared a detailed loading plan and we know exactly how many barrels, skibags, boxes and pelicases to bring onshore and how to pack it. Our landing plans have been optimized and given our previous experience in landing we have a mature and realistic plan to go onshore that again will be a staged landing. We will be using 3 dinghys, where two dinghys will always be in the water at the same time. The Captain have been supporting private, government, film companies & tourist expeditions to high latitudes continually since 1997 and his crew is young in their 30s, but also experienced in these waters.
We have contracted 30 days around the island, and 21 days on the island, and the Captain have agreed this to be a performance clause. There exist liquidated damages in the contract should this be breached. DXpedition planning involves not only selecting radio, amplifier and antennas. DXpedition planning is also about risks, budget, finance, cash flow and contract clauses. We are the first one to know that there are unfinished business at Bouvet, and we have a strong desire to make it happen again. We have thus worked hard after the previous attempt to come in the position to announce a return to Bouvet and with our low cost project, dedicated and experienced team and duration, we have prepared ground for a feasible Bouvet project without breaking the bank.
Among other we will only use lightweight Honda generators, and we will go lightweight but with amplifiers and yagi from 20-10m. We would like to reveal our plans for a dedicated North America camp. During our previous attempt we scouted an area ½ mile west of the main camp. This area offer low angle take off to NA and will make our signals much louder all over NA compared to previous time. We will be able to setup a dedicated camp at the hill with clear take off to NA west coast (unobstructed view).
It will not be possible without your generous support and we are seeking donors to help us cover the remaining $150,000. Please visit our website for more information
Thank you,
73, 3YØK
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3Y0K - Bouvet Island - Peter I Island
Press Release
Bouvet Island and Peter I Island project ===
We’re building an organization of 25+ experienced DXpeditioners committing to and capable of executing some of the rarest and most difficult entities to activate. In the pipeline we have two exciting DXpeditions planned.
3YØK DX-pedition to Bouvetøya January 2025 (#11 most wanted) Where we will stay up to 21 days on the island A team of 3 operators + support team of 4 persons + remote team Budget $440,000 where 2/3rd of budget is secured already
$150,000 in support needed
ALL PERMITS IN HAND
We have signed a contract with a vessel owner with a proven track record in Arctic and Antarctic waters. The experienced Captain has been supporting expedition teams since 1997 and before that has been managing his own fishing trawler for decades. We’re also teaming up with Peter as responsible for landing us safely on the beach, similarly to what he did this year. We are three persons with previous experience from landing at the island. Peter’s experience, skill and determination is again an important factor for success! We have been through some 3YØJ lessons learned where everything have been scrutinized to improve the next attempt. This time we plan 3YØK based on our previous Bouvet experience! We will go only with smaller Honda gasoline generators, and it will be a lightweight DX-pedition but still with some yagis and amplifiers. Weight is reduced from 7 ton to 2 ton. Peter will be leading the support team of total 4 younger persons, that comes in addition to the radio operators.
We will also engage a remote team where AA7JV George will be involved with tons of remote experience from his Pacific trips. George will design, test, and supply the remote radio system adapted to Bouvet environment and we’re grateful for his contribution. The remote radio system will be Peli cases with radio and power supply, where we will taking four remote radios and 5 radios with amplifiers for the local operators. In addition to the 7 members that will be on the island there will thus be additional remote members providing you with QSOs.
Operators: Dave WD5COV, Emil DL8JJ and Ken LA7GIA. Media Officer and WW Pilot Steve Hass N2AJ
We will create a Facebook page and a website – and fundraising will start immediately.
Peter I Island DX-pedition 2026 is in the progress (#8 most wanted) There is also plans for Peter I Island in progress. We have secured a vessel, and we’re now building a team of 19 operators that will go to Peter I Island in February 2026 and stay there for 14 days. The vessel is a proper Antarctica vessel with 2 helicopters, two Expedition leaders and with all permits needed. We are working closely with the Norwegian Polar Institute to obtain the landing permit. A website will be created and more information about Peter I Island DX-pedition will be released later. Fundraising is expected to start 2024
Team leader Ken LA7GIA – Co-leader Adrian KO8SCA, Co-leader Cezar VE3LYC and Co-leader Dave WD5COV
Media Officer and WW Pilot Steve Hass N2AJ
Because we are running the two DXpeditions through the same organization there exist synergies as for the equipment, logistics and resources committed to execute these.
Thank you,
73, Ken
LA7GIA
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