VP0SG -- South
Georgia Dxpedition
2027 (Press Release
#3)
From various sources
(edited by OPDX):
Written by Erwann,
LB1QI -- MAY 3, 2026
Amateur Radio
DXpeditions March
2027 DXpedition to
South Georgia
Island (VP0SG) –
Press Release 3, May
2026
Second Young Operator Announced – Strong Focus
on the
Next Generation.
Announcing our second
young operator: Big
focus on the next
generation.
Amateur Radio
DXpeditions (ARD) is
pleased to announce
that Leon
Hellmich,
DL3ON, will be
joining the VP0SG
South Georgia 2027
expedition as our
second young operator,
following the previous
announcement of Violetta,
KN2P.
Leon, 22, studies
electrical engineering
at the Technical
University of
Munich. He discovered
amateur radio in 2020
and quickly became
involved
in contests. Operating
from DQ2A (formerly
DQ2C), he developed
strong
contest and CW skills,
earning him
invitations to
participate in major
multi-operator events.
His experience
includes operations
from ES9C (Estonia)
during the 2022
CQ WW SSB, as well as
subsequent contests
from PJ2T and J62K. He
also
operated as I44P at
the 2022 WRTC in
Italy, where he was
the youngest
participant. More
recently, Leon was
part of the DX S21WD
expedition to
Bangladesh in March
2026.
In addition to his
on-air work, Leon is
actively involved in
the Young-
sters On The Air
(YOTA) program,
contributing to the
organization and
documentation of youth
camps across Europe.
Alongside his studies,
he
serves as a student
representative and is
actively involved in
managing
his university's radio
club station.
The VP0SG team places
great emphasis on
mentorship and
generational
continuity in DX
expeditions, in line
with the values
promoted by leading
amateur radio
community
organizations. The
inclusion of young
operators
like KN2P and DL3ON
reflects our
commitment to ensuring
the next gener-
ation gains hands-on
experience in complex,
real-world DX
environments.
We are pleased to
confirm that a third
young operator will be
announced
soon, continuing this
effort to support and
develop future DX
expeditions.
On the regulatory
front, we are pleased
to report that our
application to
the Government of
South Georgia and the
South Sandwich Islands
(GSGSSI)
has been received
positively, and the
project is expected to
enter the
formal review phase in
the coming weeks.
Based on the
constructive ex-
changes to date, we
remain confident in
the process.
Logistically, the
project continues to
progress, and the
first major mile-
stone related to our
expedition vessel, the
MV MEREDIAN, is
fast approach-
ing. As a privately
funded expedition,
VP0SG relies on the
support of the
amateur radio
community. Therefore,
we are actively
seeking initial
financ-
ial contributions from
clubs, foundations,
and individual donors
to meet
future commitments and
ensure the success of
this exceptional
activation.
We will publish more
updates soon.
ARD is a non-profit
organization committed
to activating
exceptional
DXCC entities through
sustainable,
technically sound
expeditions with
global impact. ARD's
projects emphasize
youth inclusion,
operational
excellence, and
environmental
responsibility.
For more information
or to support the
VP0SG expedition,
please contact:
Tedd Mirgliotta,
KB8NW - E-mail
addresses:
<[email protected]>
and
<[email protected]>
Editor of the
Ohio/Penn DX
Bulletin (OPDX -
DXer's Tool of
Excellence)
President of the
"Northern Ohio DX
Association" (NODXA)
DX Advisor for the
"Northern Ohio
Amateur Radio
Society
Past ARRL Assistant
Director of the
Great Lakes Division
(1996-2022)
Sysop of the "Basic
Amateur Radio
Frequency BBS"
(BARF80.ORG)
