[OKDXA] Press Release - Ducie Island

[Jeff Martin]

Announcement

Ducie Island – Ground Breaking Remote Operation DXpedition to a Rare 
Entity

May 12, 2023

VP6A will be on the air from Ducie Island (OC-182) from June 10 to June 
24, 2023 (actual dates will be subject to WX). There will be five 
stations on the air on all bands from 160 to 6 meters, working CW, SSB 
and FT8.

Following the successful test of remote operations at FO/AA7JV, where 
over 11,000 remotely operated QSOs were made by five remote operators, 
VP6A will apply this concept to a full rare island DXPedition.  A total 
of 14 operators based in North American, Europe and Asia will operate 
land based remote controlled stations around the clock. There will only 
be three local operators at Ducie: W6IZT, KN4EEI and AA7JV. This small 
team will set up and maintain the stations and operate locally from the 
nearby boat. They will visit the island once a day to refuel the 
generators and do any necessary maintenance.  In line with the minimum 
foot-print concept, there will be no camping on the island.

This will be the first full DXpedition utilizing the RIB concept that 
features a large number of remote operators with a small footprint on a 
remote island.   Four RIBs (Radio In a Box) will provide a total of 5 
stations capable of 24/7 operation on 10 bands.

The RIBs feature complete stations capable of up to 1 kW in a 
weather-tight housing that allow remote operation.  These RIBs were 
developed with support from Northern California DX Foundation. The goal 
is to enable a new, minimum impact operating mode for environmentally 
sensitive areas. RIBs also speed up the installation of stations. This 
will enable our small three-person team to build the five stations, 
including antennas, in a relatively short time.

All donations should be made to the Northern California DX Foundation. 
(www.ncdxf.org)

Ducie island is No 56 on ClubLog’s most wanted list.  On the 6 meter 
band it is No. 26, therefore given we will be active during the E 
season, a special focus will be placed on 6 meter operation with gain 
antennas and a power amplifier.

Additional details and the list of operators, as well as regular updates 
will be posted on the VP6A QRZ.com page.

AA7JV