3Y0I Bouvet Island News 2 January 2024
3Y0I Bouvet project on track
Zoom meeting with team members finished.
Whole radio equipment, set of 14 radios, amplifers and over 14 antennas will be loaded on the vessel in Europe.
(we own our radio equipment, we don't need to begging for anything any fundations or clubs for $$$)
Winter camp equipment, generators and all important things to make this happen are waiting already in South Africa.
Currently requesting 3Y0I license to be renewed by Norwegian authorities.
Some of LA land opertators jump in with a help to avoid potential issues as some of other once really want us to not get this license
3Y0I Bouvet Island News 10 December 2023
Due to Dom 3D2USU being kicked out of the 3Y0K Bouvet DXpedition / Project which was made and led by Ken LA7GIA and Dom (Ken was informed by DX foundations that if he joined forces with the Rebel DX Group there would be no support for Ken), the Rebel DX Group has decided the time is right to reactivate 3Y0I plans and stage their own DXpedition to Bouvet. You may remember that in 2019, the 3Y0I team were unsuccessful in getting to Bouvet due to inclement weather, seas and vessel damage.
For this DXpedition, there will be no support or funding needed. They seek no assistance from foundations or clubs. All equipment is in place already in South Africa. Plan is for three operators to land on Bouvet with an additional five more ops operating CW remotely – more on this in the future.
A vessel has already been secured and will be operated by four ex-Navy seals from Military Unit Formoza. A captain and first mate will complete the team – between them they have 25 years experience heading into the cold South Atlantic waters. Many years ago, Dom 3D2USU, landed several times on Bouvet using a dinghy during a 3-day stay. The whole crew is highly trained for this kind of landing and surviving in harsh conditions.
Reissuing the 3Y0I license is straightforward. You can get your own license if you wish. It takes two days and $0 dollars to receive one.
Some info will not be provided for many reasons – for example dates will only be announced near the time of sailing.
As a footnote, the last 2.5 years the Rebel DX Group has delivered over 1 million QSOs from various Pacific islands. LoTW is always uploaded straight after any expedition, without delay or requests for “Express LoTW” services. QSL cards from the Pacific are usually sent out once a year when the team is back in Europe to print them, and then take back to Fiji. Note:
QSL cards from Bouvet will be run by proper QSL manager as we will relocate our team to another cold place. More on that info soon.
3Y0I.
3Y0I Bouvet Island News 13 February 2023
I'm Confused
If you are part of the expedition to and you phisically there on the island or boat.... How you end up in expedition log? You either on one side of the fun or another?!?! ... Not both?!?
Imagine me putting my self to the log from P5 or any other hard one.
Just please don't even try to convince me that they operate remotely using teleportation via starlink
This is not a first time I ask this question. Please check even NAVASA or vp8 Log and run team members callsigns... What a surprise...
3Z9DX, 3Y0I
3Y0I Bouvet Island News 12 February 2023
Rebel folks
Those who loves us and those who hate us.
After hundreds of emails asking for comments and info how, why, when.. I have to answer here.
Im not on position to make any comments about how 3Y0J doing things as THEY LAND AND OPERATE from Bouvet Island...... We didn't make it in 2019 so we stay quite.
I can only talk about preperations, equipment, ideas, vessels, equipment movement, landing ideas etc.
As retired NAVY Captain and SAR instructor I can ask some of your questions. Just go ahead
3Y0I Bouvet Island News 11 January 2023
3Y0I wishing 3Y0J all the very best with their plans during the next weeks.
Hope soon Hams vs Bouvetoya score will change to 1 : 2
Our Bouvet project is still on. Now All depends of the situation with upcoming activity. We either continue to Bouvetoya by end of the year or we will move this project to Peter 1( 3y0/P) next year. Callsign and landing permission are on the way.
This time with our own ship.
More detals soon.
3Y0I Bouvet Island News 18 August 2021
3Y0I license has been renewed it and received by 3Y0I gang. Preparation continues More update soon.
Information received from Dom, 3Z9DX.
3Y0I Bouvet Island News 6 April 2021
First of all, we would like to wish the recently announced 3Y0J Bouvet DXpedition all the best for a successful activity at the end of 2023.
There is enough space for even 3 more activities from 3y0 land. We know how much detailed planning goes into a project like this and cross fingers for them.
From a Rebel perspective, the 3Y0J announcement does not change our plans. December 15, 2021 is when we plan to leave Cape Town and again head south into the Roaring Forties and Furious Fifties before attempting a Bouvet landing. We absolutely know from experience how volatile the seas around this most remote island are.
Our team of 8 operators aim to spend up to 30 days on Bouvet.
Depending on weather, we will likely spend 7-10 days each way on the high seas getting there and returning.
Once on the island and our camp is set up, we will run 8 stations covering 160-6m. Modes include CW, SSB, FT4/FT8, RTTY and OQ100.
The total budget for our Bouvet DXpedition is considerably less than that of 3Y0J. We also have had no backing from any of the DX foundations. Nonetheless, we are now missing only $32,000 from our final cost of $267,000. We absolutely hope between now and December we can accrue this missing amount, and appeal to all generous donors to help us with our final push to meet target.
3Y0I Bouvet Island News 5 April 2021
Folks
Due the hundreds emails today regarding our plans for 3Y0I the answer is nothing changed after 3Y0J publication.
We are on track for this year activity from Bouvet Island by end of the year.
3Y0I Bouvet Island News 16 March 2021
Information received from Dom, 3Z9DX.
Hello folks
Things are going slow during pandemic, but we are going forward with our plans. After visiting South Africa 2 months ago, we can confirm that all equipment is ready for this year 2021(November - December) Bouvet operation part 2.
We really hope this time wild ocean will cooperate with us.
In the mean time we are finally going back to our Rebel vessel located in Fiji. Plans are to go back to Conway Reef for 3 weeks, Rotuma for 3 to 4 weeks and some very rare iotas around 3d2 zone. We will be testing some our new ideas to operate 5 different stations on FT8 (FOX & HUND) at the same time by 1 operator. (NO ROBOTS INVOLVED!!!!)
This will be video recorded. Some stationary test went very promising.
This (HATE OR LOVE) mode will defenently help some small pistols to get rare DXCCs in to the log.
Just to remind you, our last trip to Conway (operated by 2 ops. Tack JE1CKA and Dom 3Z9DX) did over 33.828 Qso's in less than 8 days. That is world record for QSO/DAY/Operator (2067 qso's a day/operator).
It means we are going to work DX not for party.
And now some very important words from the REBELS..
"Sincere thanks to my OH friends; OH0XX, OH1MA and our Rebel Ambasador OH2BH, who promptly responded my urgent need of amplifiers and released three (3) pcs of Juma 1000 light-weight amplifiers."
We had a plan to swap our amplifiers from heavy to light weight type. We got them in less than 3 days from Finland.
Thank you again guys
Rebel Dx Team
3Y0I Bouvet Island News 5 January 2021
Some members of the Rebel DX Group have arrived in Cape Town, South Africa. After several Covid protocols we are in the good hands of our ZS friends and local supporters. Just to remind you, the whole of our expedition equipment from the first Bouvet ''attack'' was secured at the QTH of Andre ZS1AN. What a great guy he is!! We will check again all our expedition gear during the coming days. We had a very busy day yesterday with Shawn ZS1SBW, working on important paperwork for upcoming projects. More info on that soon. The Bouvet (3Y0I) trip is on track. Still some budget is missing but we are hoping to get some of the missing $$$. Our last attempt cost us over $250K private money (donations were just 7%) and sadly that went to the ''vessel chimney'' (for fuel). Let's hope, this time we will be more lucky. For your information, we will not apply for financial support to any DX Foundation or big Clubs as their conditions are not acceptable to us for a trip to one of the most wanted DXCC entities; and one of hardest places to go on our planet.
3Y0I Bouvet Island News 3 November 2020
We are still pushing with the missing budget ($24300) to finalize last payment for the vessel to make 3Y0I happen. So far (as an international team) we still can’t travel to South Africa due the Covid situation. Bouvet is not cancelled! All our equipment is ready there, waiting for us.
Time is running like crazy, also Antarctic summer will not wait for us so long… Please keep in mind that we will maybe need to reschedule this trip for the next season.
In the meantime Dom 3Z9DX received his Fijian government travel permit to go back to the Pacific Rebel Base as a back up plan. There is three different DXCC’s around: 3D2/C Conway, 3D2/R Rotuma, 3D2 Fiji + several IOTAs including some very rare groups. Unfortunately, cyclone season starts from November to March… so all looks very difficult and hard from logistic point of view. Let’s see what happens
3Y0I Bouvet Island News 16 June 2020
After today's telephone conversation with the Norwegian Polar Institute, we learned that the Institute suspends all scientific expeditions to a small weather base located on the west side of the Bouvet island.
It is very likely that the station was swept to the ocean by '' landslide ''.
The 3Y0I radio expedition is not at risk. We are keep pushing to get a full budget before we set a sail again by end of the year.
Our base will be established on the eastern side of the island on the glacier. This part of the island is not exposed to the worst western winds, waves and landslides.
we want to remind you that we have access to accurate, current satellite photographic data of our landing site.
Dom 3z9dx also has over 100 pictures from his non-radio visit and materials from other people who had visited the island.
We are really well prepared to do this job.
Now is your turn to help or forget about Bouvet in the log.
Rebel Team update
We are on track with 3Y0I Bouvet project. Still missing some budget but we are getting closer and closer. Second attempt will take place in December 2020.
Before December, Rebels are moving to Pacific to activate Banaba Island (callsign secured T33T).
This activity will start in fist half of 2020.
After Banaba we will sail to T2 Tuvalu (working on callsign T22T)
During April we will also be active from 2 IOTAs OC 156 and OC 121
Stay tuned
3Y0I Bouvet Island News 30 November 2019
Another great news!
Following the generous grant of U$25.000 today we received an donation from amateur radio enthusiast who donate PayPal of 10.000 USD shrinking our missing budget to 55 thousands USD. We're are very grateful for supporting and believing in our project.
3Y0I News 16 November 2019
The Lottery Announcement
It’s been 3 weeks since we have launched our fundraising for the 3YØI DXpedition at GoFundMe.com and we have some news to share. In such a short time, with your generous help, we have managed to collect more than 10% of the missing budget. That is really really kind of all supporters and it gives us hope to make things happen and the 2nd attempt to “attack” Bouvet to take place. The complete list of the supporters is listed at our GoFundMe page.
We received a couple of questions about why there are some callsigns missing next to a couple of donors’ names. Please don’t forget to insert your callsign while posting your donation at GoFunDMe. Once donated, we cannot edit names corresponding to existing donors – due to transparency reasons, we’ve got no access to such page edits.
As we said in our previous news, donors supporting our 1st attempt to reach Bouvet island weren’t forgotten. We’re happy to announce that we will draw lots among all donors who donated the first attempt of the 3YØI Expedition, with U$ 199 or more, on Wednesday – November 20, 2019. The entire process will be transmitted live online and the winners will be announced at our website, Facebook and Twitter accounts.
3 individuals, +1 accompanying person each, will get a free 10-days long trip aboard of the Rebel DX Catamaran among Fiji’s islands. Dates and details to arrange with each winner-participant individually, of course.
We already cross fingers for all participants of our DX lottery. Stay tuned!
3Y0I News 4 November 2019
After a short and solid in-team discussion we decided that all donors, who supported our first attempt to Bouvet in March 2019 with U$199 and more, will take part in a similar lottery as we've announced recently in terms of the 2nd Bouvet's attempt. We simply feel we should honor all of our supporters who qualify to enter the lottery.
So, each donor who donated at least 199 USD and more until March 2019 is able to win a FREE 10 days vacation + sailing trip on our own Rebel Catamaran with a Captain and crew among the Fiji islands. The rules are simple and the same as the current lottery for supporters of the 2nd Bouvet attempt. We will choose 3 donors + 1 accompanying person each, that is 6 people in total. Dates are to be arranged with participants once chosen. The prize include 10 days vacation and/or sailing trip around some amazing Fiji islands (Prize do not include participants insurances, airfares from/to home destinations and food.This can be arrange by our crew on request) The entire process of the prize drawing and the winners' announcements will be live-streamed online. The prize draw will take place in approx. 2 weeks and will be announced a couple of days earlier.
Stay tuned and already crossing fingers for the winners
It’s time to share some important information on our further plans of the 3YØI DXpedition to Bouvet Island with our ham radio supporters and other followers around the world.
As you probably know, our first attempt to reach the island of Bouvet in March 2019 failed. Despite complex preparations and training received in Cape Town, South Africa, our vessel got hit by a big storm so badly that we had no choice but to sail back to Cape Town to reshuffle our plans. We were so close – just 63 nautical miles offshore Bouvet Island!
The 1st attempt took yet another toll. Although we couldn’t activate the #2 Most Wanted DXCC at that time, we had to cover all costs involved, of course. Since it’s been a privately funded venture from the very beginning, we spent as much as U$ 225.000 from our personal funds so far. Only 9% of our DXpedition budged got covered by donations, so the final impact on our private monies is huge. Fortunately, we don’t give things up easily.
The 2nd attempt under planning
We estimate that the second attempt would be around U$ 170.000 in total. It’s less than our initial budget as we have collected a lot of important equipment already + went under necessary extra-paid training + secured many things logistically, too. Is that much if compared to other top DXCC expeditions’ budgets? Not at all! Moreover, we have already secured half of the required budget to go back to Bouvet. But after the last aftermath and considering the next suitable time-frames with safe weather conditions at far South Atlantic Ocean, we’re simply unable to repair our budget with personal funding this fast. We face a risk to postpone the expedition, unfortunately. Yes, we did our best to make it happen last March. Yes, we’re still up to take a second chance. But this time it may only take place if we receive financial support to cover at least half of the missing budget, which is U$ 85.000, to make 3YØI coming true. And here’s how you can…
Help us to make 3YØI happen
Keeping in mind transparency of our project since the very beginning, we decided to go yet further with game-changing rules to fund amateur radio expeditions. Why do we call that the “game-changer”? We would like to ask the ham radio community to help to fund our project via the GoFundMe.com fundraising platform. All funds sent over there to support the 3YØI by donors would automatically be displayed and be instantly available for a public review. No more misty and semi-transparent foundation policies, hidden agendas, complicated foundation procedures and waiting for months for clarifications to learn (or rather guess?) what happened to the collected monies.
To make things even more clear, in case we don’t reach the absolute minimum sum required (U$ 85.000), and we couldn’t continue with our plans to activate the Most Wanted DXCC #2 any time soon, all collected funds would immediately be returned to donors by GoFundMe.com, leaving our hands clear with no need to explain ourselves what happened to the money and what we would do next.
Our intentions are clear: if we don’t reach our fundraising goal, we won’t receive nor spend a single cent you donate and it would be returned to your GoFundMe account for withdrawal or to support any other GoFundMe project of your choice.
To make the fundraising more attractive, once we reach the required minimum of U$ 85k, we will give donors a chance to win something special:
- each donor supporting U$ 200 or more will qualify to enter a (life video stream) lottery in which 3 individuals (+1 accompanying person each) will win a 10-days sailing trip around Fiji islands for you on our Rebel catamaran with our captain and crew members. In addition, all donors who donated U$ 199 and more for our 1st attempt in March, will also enter the lottery.
- and each donor supporting us with U$ 500 or more, will qualify to enter a (life video stream) lottery to win a free expedition trip for 3 individuals with Rebels to remote places around Pacific (dates and DXCC TBA).
- Additionally, each donor supporting U$ 25 will qualify to get a free QSL card from 3YØI. And there’s something else… Each supporter donating to 3YØI expedition U$ 1000 or more, will get a privilege to get a satellite call from the Team while at Bouvet, a signature souvenir from the island and access to special limited photo/video archive taken during the entire expedition.
The voting and winners would be selected and announced online during a video live stream (transparency!). Again, the lottery will be organized only if we reach the required minimum of the announced missing budget and the 3YØI expedition takes place. Clear? Clear!
The gloomy future of South Atlantic expeditions
The future of amateur radio expeditions, especially in terms of activating entities placed across cold high latitude seas, isn’t bright. Apart from the uncertainty of future Solar cycles’ strength that may badly reflect radio propagations, there are still very few of us who realize that visiting remote cold islands may become very seldom or even almost impossible. And we can only blame ourselves, humans, unfortunately. Global climate change’s impact is getting worse. It’s currently more and more pronounces in the higher latitudes where the changes occur faster than anywhere else. Ice caps and glaciers meltdown causes there will be more and more sweet waters getting into the oceans. That will impact all sea and wind currents there in the first place. They start to shift quickly and weather conditions will become more and more unpredictable and violent. Additionally, the changes will produce an enormous amount of ice pack and icebergs, reaching even middle latitudes putting sea travelers in threat. We’re all, unfortunately, living witnesses of the change coming and it’s very possible that visiting those places by hams may become too risky and too expensive.
Today, each visit to those dangerous places, including amateur radio expeditions, is hard to overvalue. Visitors have a unique chance to document climate change impacts and to collect important data for scientists. Since we‘ve been in touch with the Norwegian Polar Institute (which is in charge of monitoring and protecting Bouvet island) from the very beginning of our project, all information we would collect at the island will go under scientific supervision and inspection by the institute. That’s how we could pay off for permission to visit and activate the island for you, dear Ham and…
Here’s how you can help, too!
So now you probably understand more we’re are so much committed to the 3YØI project! Yet, we’re so much aware why Bouvet ranks #2 today – we all felt that when we got beaten by huge waves and seasickness at South Atlantic Ocean on route to Bouvet. It’s not only our dream to land at Bouvet in time. There are so many hams dreaming of putting at least 1 QSO with the island into their logs and we will try to do our best to make it happen.
It’s as easy as a piece of cake and you don’t need to have any PayPal account to do so. And don’t forget to follow us at Facebook, Twitter and to share this news with your radio friends, please!
THE TIME IS NOW!
History of first attempt:
3YØI Press Release #9
April 2, 2019 @ 20:20 UTC
THE OFFICIAL STATEMENT OF MR. ANTHONY BURKE – THE MV ATLANTIC TUNA’S CAPTAIN
As previously announced, enclosing the official letter issued by Mr. Anthony Burke at MV Atlantic Tuna of Global Maritime Management Co. Ltd. addressed to the ham radio community addressing events occurred during the 3YØI amateur radio expedition to Bouvet Island in March 2019.
73 de Stan SP8S
The 3YØI Press Officer
copyright by Stan Strzyżewski SP8S @:
Bouvetoya.org
Rebel DX Group
Mutual.World
3YØI Press Release #8
April 2, 2019 @ 15:15 UTC
3YØI BACK IN CAPE TOWN
The entire 3YØI Team, and the crew of MV Atlantic Tuna, after an exceptionally difficult, demanding and unlucky attempt to reach Bouvet island, docked to Cape Town's shipyard around 15:00 UTC, 2 April 2019.
The expedition is set for another attempt, which time-frames and details will be announced later this month.
A special report on the 3YØI DXpedition to be published soon. Stay Tuned.
73 de Stan SP8S
The 3YØI Press Officer
73 de Stan SP8S
The 3YØI Press Officer
3YØI Press Release #6
March 28, 2019 @21:30 UTC
3YØI TO BE CONTINUED!
This time, good news coming from MV Atlantic Tuna. In a satellite conversation with Dom 3Z9DX, I’ve learnt important information on 3YØI follow up.
The seas are calm now, ironically almost flat. After taking a “u-turn”, the vessel continues sailing back to Cape Town. They sail as fast as ~10 knots/h, which means they could reach South Africa’s coast in approx. 4 days.
Dom unveiled some more details on the storm which forced the Team to go back. The vessels anemometer cracked and stopped operating and its last recorded speed reached 83kn/h. But once other instruments have been checked, they discovered a yet surprising fact. Actually, the wind reached a speed of 170km/h (~92kn/h or 106mil/h) and that means they faced a hurricane of Category 2.
Once they reach Cape Town and go through a detailed technical inspection of the vessel, there will be a special official statement issued to the ham radio community by the captain of MV Atlantic Tuna with further information on:
• a detailed explanation of the situation encountered at South Atlantic nearby Bouvet Island and reasons for the decisions taken,
• procedures applied during the recent issues encountered near Bouvet Island,
• reported damages of the vessel and their results,
• information how the team coped with the extreme situation encountered at the vessel,
• estimation of necessary repairs’ deadlines.
Once all the above information is received and analyzed, the 3YØI Team Leader, Dom 3Z9DX, will decide when and how the DXpedition will take place again. Repeat: we’re definitely talking about rescheduling the expedition to the nearest possible and reliable term, not aborting or suspending our plans.
Sailing calmer waters doesn’t mean the Team and the Tuna’s Crew get bored. Earlier today, they all went through a fire-fighting drill. They could verify skills gained during the professional course we all took in Cape Town last December. A very good lesson has been learnt, and yet a new on-the-sea experience gained!
They also managed to install a provisory /mm antenna and they have been quite active on 17 and 20m bands with good signals across Europe, South and North America and... Hawaii (59+20!). That all means that despite the current solar minimum, a good propagation is still there.
And now imagine a strength of potential signals sent out from neighbouring Bouvet Island today with much better antennas and PAs!
The SPOT tracker is back online and will update Tuna’s current location at least once a day. You can track the vessel here.
Wish to follow the story of one of the most adventurous and fascinating ham radio expedition in history? Stay tuned (Tuna’ed? ;-) for fresh news coming soon once the Team gets closer to South Africa’s coastline. And don’t forget to subscribe to our social media feeds listed below. Ahoy!
73 de Stan SP8S
The 3YØI Press Officer
copyright by Stan Strzyżewski SP8S @:
Bouvetoya.org
Rebel DX Group
Mutual.World
3YØI Press Release #5
March 27, 2019 @ 21:45 Z
Hamssimply rock!
You guys simply rock! After the dramatic update with the news about 3YØI’s fate almost right in front of Bouvet Island, there's a real avalanche of emails, Facebook messages, and SMSs coming from all around the world. Each and every one is similar: full of cheerful words of support shared with the Team and crew at Atlantic Tuna + cordial wishes for a safe trip back home.
We could expect more at this particular moment, and the entire Team is so much grateful for your approach and willingness to support our venture. We now know that we gained your trust and follow up. Also, that kind of feedback just proved what it's all about and why we're all here: bringing one of the most wanted DXCC entities, with our own hands, efforts, and funds, on the air for the amateur radio enthusiasts around the world. Yet, this all encourages us to keep on trying to activate Bouvet Island again - against all odds.
We're in touch with family members and we already managed to pass the most critical and GOOD news that the Team is safe and going home.
One more time: the 3YØI DXpedition is not over. it's just the beginning of the biggest adventure of our lives. We're so happy we can share a piece of it with the community of the most interdisciplinary hobby in the world. You're all now an important part of the Bouvet’s ham radio conquest story, too!
Stan SP8S
The 3YØI Press officer
copyright by Stan Strzyżewski SP8S @:
3YØI POSTPONED
3YØI Press Release #4
March 27, 2019
3YØI POSTPONED
And yet! The captain of the MV Atlantic Tuna had to take a difficult but responsible decision to take a course back to Cape Town, South Africa. But the 3YØI Expedition is NOT canceled – we don’t give up that easily.
I just had a long conversation with Dom 3Z9DX on board on the MV Atlantic Tuna. The seas calmed down enough to let them do a proper technical inspection of damages caused by the severe cyclonic storm last night. Here are more details on the latest dramatic events.
On March 26, 2019, the vessel has been approaching a cyclonal storm wandering nearby Bouvet Island. The captain analyzed the latest weather reports indicating a chance to break through the storm – it hasn’t been that strong at that time. Unfortunately, the storm developed and intensified in a matter of an hour. Around 5-6 o’clock GMT, just 70 nautical miles off Bouvet island, the ship has been hit by a series of 11+ meters (36+ ft) tall waves + wind exceeding 83 knots/h (approx. 160 km/h). The fierce oceanic forces swept past the upper deck, taking one of the radars, including VSAT, VHF and HF marine antennas, off the mast and throwing them all overboard. The hit was so hard the vessel tilted as much as 45° (but that’s still safe in terms of the vessel’s construction).
EACH AND EVERY TEAM / CREW MEMBER IS FINE, FEELING OK AND SAFE!
With lack of the most important navigational tools, the captain declared it’s not safe to navigate and they need to go back to Cape Town to secure both all participants on the board, their equipment and the vessel’s gear. In addition, all forecasts for coming hours are not positive. The Team totally relies on the captain’s decisions – he has more than 20 years of sailing experience in similar areas on both hemispheres. The Team did not try to push things forward and they all followed the captain’s order and agreed it’s better to postpone plans for safety reasons.
The ship is now heading back for Cape Town, South Africa, and once back it will go through a process of all necessary repairs and technical inspections. Once the Team estimates the necessary time to fix everything at the ship, another decision will be taken: to return to Bouvetøya in yet April, or to postpone the expedition for next coming season. Nevertheless…
THE DXPEDITION IS NOT CANCELED!
Regardless of the final outcome of our attempts, it’s clear that activating Bouvet Island is one of the most difficult and the most dangerous undertakes of the ham radio – and not only – history. Yet, the 3YØI’s events will be long discussed and analyzed by the Team to “attack” the island one more time – as soon as possible – again all marked with “safety-first” principles.
The Team has dedicated more than 4 months living in Cape Town, right next to the vessel, to prepare things in person. We have sacrificed Christmas time and spent that special time without our families. And yet, have spent an enormous amount of our private funds to make it all happen for the ham radio’s sake. But we don’t give up, and we all know we gained your trust in our current and future ham radio attempts. We really appreciate that!
Until now, Bouvet Island vs. Hams 2:0! But that’s just the first half of the show. Long live the ham radio legacy and its supporters!
Stan SP8S
The 3YØI Press officer
3YØI Press Release #3
March 27, 2019
Bouvet vs. Hams 2:0?
The “Furious 50s” zone is showing its real face now. Sea conditions are fierce with wind speed reaching 80kn/h (more than 148km/h) and last 6 hours were very difficult to the team. The MV Atlantic Tuna is making attempts to escape from a severe storm that is crossing an area surrounding Bouvet Island.
In a satellite phone conversation, Dom 3Z9DX explained the vessel’s captain decided to shift their course off the island to relocate the vessel into a safer area by following wind’s direction to the East. Further details unveiled by Dom regarding the bad storm’s outcome are not too good: they lost one of their radars and marine antennas. Neither their /mm antenna survived the storm. The good news is that despite the bad conditions, the Team, the crew are safe and in good condition.
They need to wait out the storm to proceed with proper technical inspection and any further decision making: whether to continue with landing attempts at Bouvet or to go back to South Africa. The captain has been updated them with the latest weather forecast so he is well informed on what to expect in a couple of next hours – things are under control.
That all means that initial plans to reach the island by today are impossible to happen and if they decide to continue with the expedition, the landing will be delayed at least 1-2 days depending on sea and weather conditions.
Nevertheless, there is a weather improvement coming after every storm. See current perditions for the coming days:
Bouvet vs. Hams 2:0? Next couple of hours will determine the score.
Let’s hope things turn out in favor of the 3YØI Team. Expecting another news coming from the Team in a couple of hours. Stay tuned.
Stan SP8S
The 3YØI Press officer
Copyright by Stan Strzyżewski SP8S @:
3YØI Press Release #2
March 25, 2019
Furious 50s, how are you?
A bunch of news from the South Atlantic. Just spoke to Dom 3Z9DX @ MV Atlantic Tuna. As typing these words, they're entering the "Furious 50s" - another marine zone of even worse sea conditions to deal with. Then just approx. 4°25’ more South to go!
The Team and the Crew are fine. However, 3 past days of continuous very stormy weather takes its toll - some of them suffer from minor seasickness. Who wouldn't do!? ;-)
If everything goes fine, they should get nearby Bouvet Island by end of March 26 or at the morning of March 27. Then the ship will go into standby mode and the Team will download the latest weather reports to estimate the best timeframe for suitable conditions for a landing attempt. They will not rush nor consider premature attempts to push things too hard. Why? One of primal and most important assumption of the project is:
safety, safety, and once again safety!
One of factors for landing decision making is to be able to estimate sufficient time for safe landing and building at least a smaller first camp at the island. Once the first “base” is secured (mind furious weather conditions at the island!), they will hit the air with first contacts from a safe and heated compound. In the meantime, other smaller team might wait in cue at the vessel for landing at the best possible safe weather conditions.
The final procedures will be applied once they anchor by the island with weather reports in hands.
As said before, the team has got arranged more time for waiting for landing (and definitely operating!), if necessary. As for now, the most recent weather predictions for the end of March show even more calm conditions than before. See the chart below:
Once closer to the island and landing, we will unveil more details on our plans. Stay tuned for further updates.
73 and fingers crossed!
Stan SP8S
Text & images copyright by Stan Strzyżewski SP8S @:
Bouvetoya.org
Rebel DX Group
Mutual.World
© 2019
3Y0I Bouvet Island News 24 March 2019
- We have crossed 47 deg. South. We crash 8 meters tall waves for last two days and the seas are furious - reports Dom 3Z9DX from MV Atlantic Tuna.
- Despite high seas, we continue our voyage to Bouvet. Everybody's fine and we can't hardly wait to see a very first sight of the island - adds Dom.
The tracker has been just updated and you may verify the current position of the vessel against South Africa and Bouvet Island. Approx. 2-3 days to reach Bouvetøya. Stay tuned for further updates.
3Y0I News 23 March 2019
The Team passed over half the way to Bouvet Island on board of MV Atlantic Tuna. Current position: S 44.79472, E 10.93155. They sign as E51DOM/mm on route to/from Bouvetøya.
3YØI Press Release #1
March 21, 2019
Welcome Roaring Forties!
Fresh news from the Atlantic Tuna’s deck. Dom 3Z9DX, the 3YØI leader, in a brief satellite conversation with Stan SP8S shared some new details.
– We just entered the “Roaring Forties”. The vessel hits 8-10 meters tall waves and the seas are wild and bumpy. It’s gonna be a rough ride towards Bouvet – Dom 3Z9DX said. – The team is in good moods and no sea sickness so far – he added.
– I could easily hear the noise of roaring seas behind Dom’s voice – adds Stan SP8S, the 3YØI’s spokesman. – As for these oceanic conditions, the ship sails with an average speed of 6-7 knots/hour. Once the vessel crosses 40° South, it enters one of the worst zones for oceanic sailors: stormy weather, big waves non-stop hitting vessels as such as some are unable to sleep at all, not to mention the risk of getting seriously seasick – adds Stan SP8S.
– After 3 months spent in Cape Town, South Africa, on 3YØI preparations, I know this entire project is about being max patient, flexible and not taking things for granted. Imagine being seasick for 1 week and then being forced to proceed with landing and securing their camp to survive in such violent weather conditions. And once this all is done, you need to sit next to the radio and fight enormous exhausting pileups no one at home shack is able to imagine. The 3YØI DXpedition is planed almost like a military operation. The team is very determined, responsible and trained – says Stan.
Some of the readers noticed that GPS vessel tracking stopped while the ship was supposed to enter international waters. This is where trackers’ VHF range ends and Atlantic Tuna got out of their reach. Please rely on the 3YØI’s SPOT tracker available at: The location of the vessel will be updated at least once a day, giving a good picture of the current location of MV Atlantic Tuna.
ETA for MV Atlantic Tuna Bouvet Island is set for March 25/26 but that may slightly change +/- 1 day due to very changeable weather conditions.
The team will wait as long as necessary for a suitable “weather window” to proceed with landing on the island. So far, predictions are positive, especially for the end of March. See attached charts below, and see noticeable clearances around March 30 – that might be what’s the team would be looking into.
Another short update on the 3YØI’s journey to fierce Bouvet Island is coming soon.
for other shorter updates. Stay tuned. And remember: fingers crossed!
Text & images: copyright © Stan Strzyżewski SP8S @ 3YØI bouvetoya.org / Mutual.World
3Y0I Bouvet Island DX Pedition News 19 March 2019
LOW BANDS WITH THE UPCOMING BOUVET ISLAND, 3Y0I EXPEDITION
Now that the 3Y0I team is on their way for their true adventure, it is time to look at some of the elements of their upcoming activity, specifically on low-bands. On Monday OH2BH had a detailed discussion with DXpedition leader Dom, 3Z9DX and their low-band specialist Tack, JE1CKA to understand their location and their options to produce an efficient 160/80m signal while considering their challenging environment. Dom has detailed experience on the zodiac landing on Bouvet while Tack, JE1CKA - a WRTC-rated contester and seasoned DXpedition operator - is now in charge of the low-bands. Tack has excellent field knowledge for creating powerful low-band signals.
See JE1CKA at QRZ.com - https://www.qrz.com/db/JE1CKA/
Their camp will be located some on the glacier at 100 ft. next to their landing area in the South-East corner of the Island with open view to EU/JA but mountains to the NW (USA) at a distance of eight (8) kilometers. They will be running 1.3KW with each of four (4) stations, CW, SSB, FT8 plus one for a CW/FT8 combo.
When dealing with several unknown factors including high wind situations, they will have four options for 160/80m:
1: Running simple dipoles at the glacier,
2: Running slopers from the glacier edge to the landing beach, about 100 ft. lower,
3: Running 18m long fiber masts as verticals and Inverted-Ls and,
4: Three element wire beams for 160/80M slightly above glacier.
In general, with the current conditions, the high-volume bands are expected to be 20/30/40 meters. It is assumed that 160/80 would bring a long awaited opportunity to catch these much needed band-pointers. On high bands they will have three fixed beams for EU, NA and Asia along with several multi-band verticals.
JE1CKA himself will focus on 160/80 operations and will do cw exclusively for most of the operation.
3Y0I will use specialized observers for the 160/80 operations from three main focus areas. Martti, OH2BH (EU), Wayne, N7NG (NA) and Yasu, JR1AIB (Asia) will carefully follow the proceedings, and Martti will communicate potential adjustments via Satcom to the expedition venue.
This is a historical undertaking, likely under very severe conditions with no DX Foundation support nor involvement.
Dear Fellow DXers: It’s time to include 3Y0I team in your prayers for their safe landing and happy return. They are going late in the season but are professionally prepared. Their success will be exclusively in the hands of Mother Nature as always. We are all wishing the 3Y0I team and the M/S Atlantic Tuna a safe journey.
For the 3Y0I team:
Martti, OH2BH, Wayne, N7NG, and Yasu, JR1AIB
https://www.rebeldxgroup.com/
3Y0I News 14 March 2019
A short but essential update this time. An important decision to our DXpedition plans has been taken today, which will reflect in extending the initial 3YØI plans. We decided to take more provisions than initially planned. So did we regarding the fuel.
More than 90.000 diesel liters has been fueled up (approx. 1 liter = U$1 = $90.000 we paid from our private money). That’s all because if weather permits, we plan to stay up to 3-4 weeks at the island itself (excluding sailing and landing time), giving much more chances for ATNOs all over the world. We are loading very list gear to the vessel.
We have already installed and launched our maritime station from Cape Town’s shipyard. We’ll be signing as E51DOM/mm on way to and from the island on HF bands. As these preparations are bringing to a close, we will announce our departure and estimated on-the-air dates very soon.
Stay tuned and cross fingers, please! 73!
3Y0I News 8 March 2019
Important update regarding information sources regarding the 3YØI DXpedition. Since now on, the only website providing direct information about our mission is https://bouvetoya.org - our DXpedition website. Wayne NØUN, responsible for managing our rebeldxgroup.com website had to step back due to personal reasons. He has recently been deliberately attacked by a number of American hams using words "scammer" and other offensive terms and we do all agree he didn’t deserve such behavior. Due to the above, we will not update that website anymore. The updates on 3YØI will also be available at our Facebook pages: facebook.com/bouvetoya.org and facebook.com/rebeldxgroup + at Twitter: twitter.com/Bouvetoyaorg
To all those individuals calling names and calling our project a “scam” – we kindly remind a couple of facts.
Our expedition is covered by private funds and it’s been an a very independent, personal project. Unlike other major DXpedition, for instance 3YØZ, we did not receive any foundation sponsorship and WE WILL not ask nor accept ANY. The only third party money we received up to date (less 5% of our total budget, the entire rest is covered by private funds) come from 100% VOLUNTARY donations of individual supporters - we are very grateful for their trust in our enterprise! Unlike those organizers, we will not accept any unclear rules of funding DXpeditions by foundations’ board members who are participants of the same DXpeditions applying for grants! As for us, the lack of transparency, twisted rules and sponsoring themselves with other foundations’ and individual sponsors’ funds in simply unacceptable.
Yes, we are in Cape Town for over 4 months now, and according to our plan, this has been a good decision making. Unlike 3YØZ leaders, asking for almost $1 mln donations for over 2 years of preparations, but at the same time not being able to inspect their vessel in full in prior of departure (which outcome we all know), we are able to examine each and every bolt and screw at our ship and we personally helped to fix past technical problems and we got involved in preparations to obtain full SAMSA’s strict and difficult to pass certification by end of February. Note: nobody rebuked their 2 years of preparations and asking for more and more money that as final result - landed into a bin. We are being criticized for staying and working in Cape Town for our own money, although we do that on purpose: we want to take a closer look at the preparations in person – to make things more than twice sure we don’t miss something.
These bitter words of ours may hurt, but we feel like being deliberately criticized and attacked on purpose – just because we’ve been brave enough to be solitude standing, independent, willing to activate top DXCC #2 and being able to do that. Unfortunately, it’s so clear that there are other competitive DXpeditions’ participants among those individuals who attack us and our friends. They are generally speaking – the ones who didn’t succeed recently, and now trying to torpedo our plans, using some tricks and methods not only among hams, but also here in South Africa. Actually, we consider that once back to Cape Town from Bouvet, we will write along story about all backstage events and will address them to those rude troublemakers.
As bringing to a close, we fully guarantee we will NOT read all comments like those anymore and they will all be totally ignored by the 3YØI Team. They bring absolutely no input to our plans and their authors may keep their thoughts for themselves – we don’t need you! Moreover, we will continue our independent plans and projects. We devote our private time, resources, knowledge, family time and money in something that is not their invention and they have absolutely no rights to impact our plans. They may feel free to get started with their own, separate DX projects – nobody, including us, will stop them to. Good luck!
As a bottom line: if you belong to that group of individuals not wishing us best of luck - please do not call us while 3YØI will be on the air. We don’t need you nor your support. Your QSL card neither. We will enjoy the trip – regardless of its final outcome – much more than you, and we’ll have nothing to regret. Activating Bouvet Island our goal and sacrifice, not yours.
3Y0I News 7 March 2019
FLASH NEWS: The 3YØI Team re-assembles in Cape Town, while operators return to South Africa. Meanwhile, the rest of the team members who are currently in ZS, finalize the very last vessel preparations. Stay tuned for further news coming soon.
3Y0I News 20 February 2019
ATLANTIC TUNA SEA TRIAL
For those tracking our vessel; sometime in the next 10 days you will be tracking the two to three day sea trial of our ship the “Atlantic Tuna” (formerly BYR). The SAMSA surveys are in their final stages, and after a complete refit of the Atlantic Tuna we’re now at the stage of proving the vessels sea worthiness. Remember, this is a sea trial so when you see the Atlantic Tuna leave the Cape Town harbor don’t jump to the conclusion we’re on our way to Bouvet just yet. IF the sea trial goes as expected, we will announce our departure date on RebelDXGroup.com and Bouvetoya.org, as well as our Twitter and Facebook pages.
3Y0I News 25 January 2019
Taken from emails received (took awhile to extrapolate the data):
We’ve received quite a few emails wanting to know who the 3Y0I saboteurs are. Here is our reply:
We know exactly who they are, and letting folks hear the recorded conversations, showing the emails to the Captain, our server records, providing snapshots of saboteurs posts, emails and comments, and even records of spoofed IP’s right from the company doing the spoofing (pays to have friends in low places) will all come in due time after the DXpedition.
When are you planning on landing on Bouvet Island?
We will make an announcement when our ship leaves South Africa. At that point, you will have 7 to 10 days of notice as that is what we anticipate travel time to Bouvet will be.
What is the reason for delay?
We have made it perfectly clear in past posts that our ship has gone through a complete refit at a cost North of $1,000,000.00 USD. Our cargo (4,200 lbs) is loaded, fuel tanks filled/paid. When the South African authorities (SAMSA) finish reclassifying and certifying our vessel, there will be a dry run, then we are off. Available manpower (especially through the holidays) delayed our project, but we will still go when the ship is ready. If the ship is ready in January, February, June, September – it doesn’t matter – we go. We also had a rebuilt secondary generator fail.
Are you associated in any way with the previous Bouvet operation?
As far as we can tell, there’s been no recent “previous” operations from Bouvet. But you are welcome to cut in front of us if you’d like. Us Rebels believe in, “the more the merrier” is a good thing for the Ham Radio Community. Why only one DXpedition?
Why aren’t you allowing news publications to “copy and paste” your updates, but you allow DXNews.com to do that?
Because DXNews.com supports our project. Not only have they supported our project financially, their editor has volunteered his time as a DXpedition Pilot. No other news publication made a single dollar donation. ZERO. They charge Hams yearly, “subscription fees” and they charge their advertisers, “advertiser fees”, yet they don’t pay a penny for their news from sources? We have a policy those types of news sources can follow posted on every page of our Site in the lower right hand corner – Our Copyright Policy.
It appears you guys have a serious chip on your shoulder, why is this?
We would much rather sit back in your comfy, warm shack and wait for you to go to Bouvet, but you are not going. Worry more about your attitude, not ours.
Where is your QSL Policy posted?
We have not announced our QSL Policy yet. We will publish it when we return from Bouvet.
I read somewhere you did not receive any money from any DX Foundations. Is this true?
100% true. Not a penny.
Are you planning on running RTTY?
No.
“reply” email: Why aren’t you planning to operate RTTY?
Like we previously stated, we have no plans to operate RTTY, or 2 Meters, or 70 cm, or moon bounce, or AM. If you’d like to donate $1,000,000.00 USD then we will charter the Enigma XK for a month and half and we’ll do whatever you want, and we’ll do it next week. She’s a beautiful vessel, and she’s right next door. You’ll be the first person we work on RTTY! With your donation we could also hire the S.A. Agulhas I for $25,000 USD a day if that fits your budget better.
Are you keeping a “blacklist”?
Never heard of it. What is a “blacklist”?
I don’t understand how your 3Y0I team of eight has been in South Africa since November.
They haven’t been. Everybody came to Cape Town for wet water, zodiac, fire and other “specific to our mission” training, then a few returned home for Christmas and New Year’s. They patiently wait for the call to return when the boat is ready. We have families and commitments. We are no different than anyone else.
I saw in one of your pictures that you have a non-Ham on the 3Y0I team. May I ask why? What benefit is that to you or the Ham Community?
Sure you may ask. He is our full time team bird watcher. He has very soft hands and we are trying to teach him the ways of the Antarctic sea. Did you know all mercenaries have soft hands? Quit while you’re ahead. You can’t handle the truth.
What is your QSO goal? 100,000, 150,000 QSO’s?
Don’t whine and cry if we tell you we’ve been thinking of running a Elecraft KX2 at 12 watts into a frozen G5RV up 6 feet for the QRP Fella’s. Let’s hope we can make a few QSO’s with the “deserving”.
I am planning on going on vacation with my wife. Can you give me the window of expected dates so I can plan our vacation accordingly? I promise I won’t tell anybody.
2019.
You have stated in several places the “Rebel Way”. Why do you choose this?
How many times do we see DXpeditions run budgets of 300, 500, even 800 THOUSAND dollars? Really? Rebel Way offers much lower cost T31, TI9 Cocos, P5, and now Bouvet. Our Rebel Mission Statement: “To activate rare and semi-rare DX locations with quality Ham Radio Operators from around the world.” You don’t have to agree with our Rebel Way, but we bring rare DX you may need, so either lend some support, or do not disturb. Lighten up, relax, work DX.
–·- ··· –
A final word from the author. You folks need to understand a few things. We have never published dates. Our situation is a “dynamic project”. We don’t tell you everything because there’s some folks trying to harm this project. The more we let out, the harder they seem to come. After we named our vessel, who in their right minds would send the Captain of our ship derogatory emails? Emails stating we weren’t going to pay the bill? Obviously they didn’t know the ship was under contract and already paid for, but still they try. Even a local ZS starting shit about the ship being “arrested” for us not paying harbor fees. Smart guy doesn’t understand how the harbor authority works and sends a final invoice to the ship owner and the ship owner pays it. Not our bill. Fake news.
In closing, our last little piece of advice that we’ve said all along, but we don’t think registered in some of the smaller coconuts – we’ll go when we’re ready to go. Either support the Rebels and our project, or stay away. Far, far away.
3Y0I News 11 January 2019
Bouvet Weather
Of course pushing back against constant fake news gets a little tiring, but this is the way it is these days. Do not listen to all the “expert” Ham Radio weathermen, they are lost at sea. Here is a self explanatory and easy to read chart of monthly averages of highs, lows and precipitation on Bouvet Island.
When you hear the fake news say the weather window has closed, well now you have the facts.
From https://www.rebeldxgroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/bouvet-weather.png
3Y0I News 2 January 2019 Meet The Atlantic Tuna
First of all – Happy New Year 2019 to all DXers! We rush to share a portion of fresh news from Cape Town.
The Seasons holidays season is over in South Africa, and that gives us hope things start to accelerate in terms of our ship preparations. We now can unveil the name of the vessel taking us to Bouvet Island. Meet “Atlantic Tuna”
The ship is really tough one as it has been built in Iceland and used to sail across the Northern Sea in the worst possible sailing conditions, Its crew has got a hell of such experience.
Currently, the ship is being refurbished from its very bottom to its top, meaning not only reconditioning of its hull but also any of the equipment installed onboard. All navigation, communication and engine systems are brand new, meeting the most demanding technical and safety requirements.
Getting the ship ready is a time and money consuming process that requires a lot of patience and flexibility from us. The vessel needed to go through of all very strict survey by (SAMSA) procedures
to be allowed to leave the shipyard + each and every crew member (including the 3Y0I team) had to get first aid and fire-fighting training international certificates.
There still are some technical obstacles keeping the “Atlantic Tuna” in the shipyard. Extensive South-African bureaucracy doesn’t help at all. We’re aware we start to face a situation the most suitable and safe weather permitting season to reach Bouvet Island is about to slip away. Nevertheless, we’re in South Africa since the last days of October, trying so hard, sacrificing our family time, jobs, money and other resources to make it all happen for you, DXers.
Stay tuned for more news coming soon.
3Y0I News 26 December 2018
Two new Honorary Members. For all their 3Y0I Rebel Team assistance in preparations in Cape Town.
Thank you V51B and ZS1AN!
Merry Christmas from the 3Y0I Rebel Team!
Everything has been shut down here on the Western Cape of South Africa for Christmas and the New Year’s Holidays. Stores, offices, warehouses and the shipyard are closed until early January. So in the meantime we will also enjoy the Season Holiday’s too. But in a Ham Radio way! The 3Y0I Rebel Team is spending our holidays in the cargo hold of our ship pre-assembling some of our gear. One advantage of doing this inside the ship is that we’ve got natural air conditioning here – sea waters cool the vessel nice and easy, and we’re also protected from the fierce subtropical sun. In Stan’s (SP8S) pictures we are pre-assembling our multiband verticals. Tomorrow we’ll assemble the Kohjinsha beams.
Better to prepare now, because once landed, there will be no time or mercy for mistakes!
3Y0I Bouvet Island DX Pedition News 20 December 2018
We’ve just completed our 50-day long training and preparation period prior to our DXpedition to Amateur Radio’s “Mount Everest”; 3Y0I from Bouvet Island.
No wonder South Africa became our “little homeland”. Fine weather, exceptional hospitality from the locals and especially the warm welcome offered by local Hams resulted in good vibes across our entire team. There is nobody rushing us. Being independent creates more chances, opportunities and flexibility in terms of our project’s goals. We approach our goals in small steps, but yet we’re always moving forward.
As a team, we’ve dedicated a lot of time and effort into improving our condition and practical skills at:
First Aid Training
Marine Fire-Fighting Training
Water Safety Training
Rescue Techniques
STCW95, ENG1, First Aid
All training we’ve participated in (and all certified by SAMSA – South African Maritime Safety Authority) were completed successfully and all participants have received their graduation certificates. Despite the high cost ($1,600 USD), taking part in this training mattered deeply to us for two important reasons; first, we wish to provide the highest skill measures for all team members and by doing so – to meet all requirements of international marine regulations. Very few folks are aware sending non-trained teams as crew members to locations like Bouvet, is illegal. Individuals taken on board all commercial (non tour) vessels must receive proper certified training and prove they qualify.
Secondly, we wish each and every team member to have – at a minimum – an idea of what we expect to deal with during our cruise and during landing at the island. Each team member must know the crucial basics of providing safety and support to others. The Rebels are not the type who arrive 1, 2 or 3 days before departure without any preparation and basic knowledge. The experience we’ve all just gained will last forever and be useful on our next project (not just Ham Radio).
Certainly some of you are familiar with our landing plan at Bouvet Island: with zodiac “type” high power boats. With these type of boats we can safely transport up to 200kg of gear to the shore while facing 2-2.5m waves. Nobody has said it’s going to be an easy task, but we are ready. Additionally, by splitting our gear into rounds, we’ll minimize the risk of accidents in the rough water and we’ll be able to take more items. There’s another big advantage of zodiacs over helicopters: cost reduction and much more flexibility in terms of weather conditions. In case of worsening conditions we’ll be able to “wait it out” and to proceed with our “Bouvet attack” under a more suitable and safer “weather window”.
Once ashore, our equipment will be transported up the glacier with professional alpine gear. An interesting fact: the glacier at Bouvet contains a lot of salt water. That’s because waves crashing Bouvet’s cliffs create sea water droplets taken by strong winds that fall over the islands ice cap. Our camp will be ice covered up to several dozen meters above volcanic land. These two factors mean our antenna environment should be genuinely radio-suitable and effective.
Today, we continue preparations of our expedition vessel for this demanding trip. Taking part in these preparations has been a part of our plan from the very beginning. This is an entirely refurbished and refitted ship at a cost north of a million dollars. It is extremely suitable for running the deep South in rough sea conditions. Our vessel is able take up to 300 tonnes of cargo and 60,000 liters of fuel, making is fully self-sufficient for up to a 4-month long trip – without the need to refuel at a sea port. The ship will wait off-shore while the team stays on the island and will be in reach in case of medical support or evacuation. Its vast and spacious interior has allowed us to pre-assemble some of our antennas and even our dome tent. A new hydraulic crane will help us load/unload the zodiacs. Our vessel is fully equipped with all new electronics, including redundant radio, satellite and navigation systems.
Many of you ask for details regarding our Ham Radio and technical “backstage”. We’ll utilize the following while at Bouvet Island:
3 x 2-element directional multiband Yagi antennas by Kohjinsja,
3 x 8-band verticals
2 x verticals for 80 and 160m bands
Sloper for 80 and 160m, elevated from a cliff towards ocean beach
Dipole antennas (backup)
Over 2km of coax
4 diesel power generators 6.5 kW each (+ backup)
4 transceivers (+ backup)
4 x 1.3 kW power amplifiers
For logging: military grade robust laptops by Panasonic Toughbook
2x BGAN satellite modems
Iridium satellite phones and communicators
Professional gear for image and 4K movies taken from the ground and air
In addition to the above, there is over a ton of outdoor and technical equipment (eg ladders, tools), alpine gear (crampons, lifts, pickax, harnesses, lines, helmets, sledges) and marine (sea water suits, vests etc.) loaded in the cargo hold. More than 1 year of preparation and 4,200 lbs. of cargo already loaded.
Our contacts made at Bouvet Island will all be confirmed with unique QSL cards designed by Stan SP8S (there are no such cards in the history of ham radio, yet) and via LoTW. Stan is known for his QSL for such major DXpeditions as K5D, FT5ZM, HKØNA, XRØY, JX5O, VK9LA, TI9/3Z9DX, P5/3Z9DX, T31T and many others.
We are very thankful for ALL donations received, thank you, thank you, thank you! Sponsors of 3Y0I
All the best of sunny greetings from South Africa. Stay tuned for more exciting 3Y0I news in the following hours/days.
Merry Christmas from the Rebel 3YØI Team!
3Y0I Bouvet Island News 12 December 2018
Ham Radio Foundations & Clubs.
As I write, and as you see on our “Sponsors” page, we have not listed a single Amateur Radio foundation or DX club that has donated to our cause (yet).
To answer a friends inquiry as to, “why is that?” – well, we’ve yet to see an offer from a foundation or club that did not come with “strings attached“.
Let’s be clear, IF a foundation or a club wants to donate to our cause they can – and we’ll gladly accept those donations to buy more Satellite Internet minutes, and we’ll also list them as a Donor, but don’t expect the Rebels to accept your list of members, your logo, requests for free QSL cards, LoTW requirements, online log specifications, QSL via bureau requirements, list of remote control ops and on and on, and on…
The Rebel DX Group thanks all of our listed Sponsors who have donated to date!
3Y0I Bouvet Island DX Pedition News 11 December 2018
As we promised some time ago...
We would like to start sending some awards to some of the most important HAM RADIO CLOWNS in last month.
I hope you guys will also send him some warm regards becouse most of DQRM, Pirating our callsign, fake news are comming from this brave ( on different way) man ( or maybe woman)
3Y0I Bouvet Island DX Pedition News 10 December 2018
The 3Y0I Team has decided to follow the new FT8 standards and change our software to WSJT-X Version 2.0 Expedition Mode (Fox /Hound)
NOTE: We would like to remind you that older versions 1.8, 1.9 (or JTDX) WILL NOT decode signals sent from WSJT-X Version 2.0.
Today, December 10, starting at 1700Z we will conduct 24 hours of testing via FT8 Expedition Mode version 2.0 on our listed 3Y0I Band Plan frequencies. We welcome all Hams using version 2.0 to participate in this 24 hour test. This will be helpful for us and all who make contact when we land on Bouvet. Our Callsign during this 24 hour test will be E51DOM/mm.
3Y0I Bouvet Island DX Pedition News 4 December 2018
Mount Everest of Ham Radio
Hey there Mister Ham Radio Operator sitting in front of your nice warm radio – would you ever consider climbing Mount Everest? Let alone consider climbing Mount Everest without proper knowledge, training, a competent guide and rescue qualified co-expeditioneers?
We didn’t think so.
And this is why training continues in Cape Town for the 3Y0I DXpedition Team. Today was more First Aid and First Responder Training.
Somebody once said, “If you’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the problem”. Well that goes for pretty much everything in life now doesn’t it? Perhaps instead of asking why the Team has no RTTY plans or why we haven’t set sail yet – you should be asking, “what can I do to help?”
When the Rebel Team feels they are ready to go, the Rebel Team will go.
3Y0I News 3 December 2018
Pirate alert.
Some one from Europe pirating using 3Y0I call.
3Y0I Team still in Cape Town.
3Y0I Bouvet Island News 1 December 2018
Some fresh news from Cape Town, South Africa.
The 3YØI Team is about to deal other extensive training next week + gathering some additional equipment we'll need at Bouvet Island.
Also, new possibilities emerge: we can take 2 additional operators (CW + SSB) with us. If you're flexible and weather-experienced individual, and willing to join an 1-month long adventure of your life time, drop a msg asap at: k38dom@gmail.com.
Be quick!
3Y0I Bouvet Island News 22 November 2018
Dom (3Z9DX) as Military Search and Rescue Instructor provided rescue training with the 3Y0I Team in Cape Town, South Africa today.
The 3Y0I Team spent 6 hours training in 11° Celsius water using different zodiac boats and practicing how to launch zodiacs from the shore line.
Training also included how to swiftly load and unload cargo and how to survive in case of a zodiac “incident”.
3Y0I Bouvet Island DX Pedition News 20 November 2018
DX Pedition Pilots:
Main pilot, North America - Wayne, N0UN.
North America, East Coast - Steve, N2AJ.
North America, West Coast - Rich, KY6R.
Africa - Andre, V51B.
Europe, Asia and Russian speaking countries - Al, 4L5A.
Asia - Yasu, JR1AIB.
Pacific - Col, VK4CC.
South America - Val, PY2XU.
3Y0I Bouvet Island News 11 November 2018
Tack san JE1CKA just landed 2h ago and joined Rebel team in Cape Town.
3Y0I News 10 November 2018
3Y0I Team meet with local ZS Community. Cape Town, South Africa.
Team is waiting for another team members
3Y0I Bouvet Island News 15 October 2018
Tack, JE1CKA is joining the 3Y0I DX Pedition that is apparently upcoming within nthe new few month.
Tack will concentrate on CW and 160 and 80m activity.
3Y0I Bouvet Island DX Pedition News 5 July 2018
"When no news means good news"
Yes, we know. Lately, we haven't been updating our website recently, but we've been focused on securing crucial details of arrangements of our project recently.
We have received a couple of questions regarding the way we're going to land at the island and why we dropped the heli way. The answer is simple: cost reduction and security measures. Once helicopter's cost doesn't bother us, we can stay around the island longer - waiting for the best suitable sea conditions to proceed with zodiac landing. by doing so, we also reduce any security risk, not to mention, the cost involved. We don't want to jeopardize the project by playing with the wrong cards, or rather - just one "heli card".
Just a reminder: our total budget estimation counts 225k USD, far less than any other similar DXpedition project recently. We're running 95k USD short now and looking for solutions to secure the missing part.
We're in touch with DX Foundations we have applied to (eg. NCDXF, Indexa). We have received a big number of questions out of their application forms we had to answer to in details. We understand all of that, of course. The most recent project didn't succeed and they're simply cautious. Nevertheless, this all takes a lot of critical timing to our project and we start to have an impression, we're not welcome there and whatever information we provide, our applications would be dropped, forcing us to reduce the number of participants. This is the bad news.
The good news is that we are able to re-negotiate our vessel's contract to cut extra cost by 15k USD! We plan to run its inspection in person in Cape town in late July. We have also scheduled another cargo to RSA with a second part of our gear going to Bouvet Island. We also bear in mind security measures. Each participant of our expedition will land at the island while wearing a rescue drysuit to protect from cold and other unpleasant conditions. In addition, a professional CPR and first aid obligatory training will be provided to each of participant in prior of leaving Cape Town. We'll have a skilled paramedic on the board, too.
Stay tuned for more news coming soon!
The 3YØI Team
3Y0I News 24 February 2018
The invitation
Hereby, we – as the organizers of the 3YØI Bouvet Island Expedition – invite the team of the 3YØZ expedition to join forces and to participate in our common project. The common project that will also allow to make their initial plans coming true. Our decision is also caused by a fact we are fully aware and full of sympathy of their disappointment as the organizers followed by public opinions following the failure and cancellation of their plans.
Thanks to joining the projects, we’ll be able to reduce cost of our common venture as well as we’ll be able to bring Bouvet Island on the air under better conditions with more benefits to the ham radio society. Our unprecedented decision opens not only new fantastic opportunities, but is also a proof that our plans are driven by the Ham Spirit and will of cooperation, not division.
Looking forward to cooperation and bringing Bouvet island on the air – together.
3Y0I Bouvet Island DX Pedition Team.
photos from wantexpeditions.com