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V73WW - Marshall Isl.

Updated: Feb 23


V73WW Update (Feb 23)


Antennas Repaired, 88,000 QSOs Logged, and Final Preparations Begin


As we approach the final days of our DXpedition, constant antenna maintenance remains a key part of our operations. This morning, the 20m antenna lost its feed, and unfortunately, the 160m antenna collapsed. However, both issues were promptly addressed, and the antennas are now fully operational again.


Weather conditions have been a mix of rain and strong winds. Despite a leaking roof, there has been no significant damage inside, allowing us to continue our operations without major disruptions.


In between radio operations, we managed another trip to town to take care of essential errands, including laundry, purchasing souvenirs, and sending postcards and stamps home.


We are pleased to report that our QSO count has now reached 88,000! Our ultimate goal remains achieving a full 100,000 QSOs, and we continue to push forward with that target in mind. We have also hit 2,000 QSOs on RTTY.


The high bands have been open during the night, a brief 10m opening to Europe, though conditions can change rapidly, with strong QSB throughout the night hours.


As the end of our journey nears, preparations to pack up are already underway. Tomorrow, we will begin taking down the first low-band and receiving antennas, and the gradual dismantling of the station will follow.


On a positive note, our internet connection has remained stable over the past few days, and all QSOs have been successfully uploaded to Clublog and LoTW. If anyone notices missing QSOs or discrepancies, please do not hesitate to contact us at info (at) next-generation-dx.com. However, please be aware that responses may be delayed.


Despite the demanding conditions, we remain in great spirits! We are also excited to share a video that captures the essence of our experience—one that even non-German speakers can enjoy: https://youtu.be/bCoHeQypqz0?t=30


A huge thank you to all our supporters and fellow hams who have contacted V73WW. Your enthusiasm and dedication keep us motivated, and we appreciate each and every one of you!



V73WW Update (Feb 19)


V73WW DXpedition - Target of Initial 60,000 QSOs Reached


We’ve just hit our target of 60,000 QSOs! 🎉 The team is thrilled and we’re not stopping here – there’s still high demand from around the globe!


Keep calling Team V73WW and thank you for your incredible support and interest in our DXPedition!


Let’s push for even more QSOs!



V73WW Update (Feb 19)


V73WW - DXpedition Update: Better Low-Band Conditions, RTTY Operation Coming Soon


The V73WW DXpedition team is pleased to report progress from our QTH on Majuro Atoll. Our operations on the 160m and 80m bands are turning to be successful. We’ve experimented with various RX antennas to optimize our reception capabilities.


The weather has been favorable, resulting in reduced QRN. However, the constant wind and waves continue to challenge our antenna setups. To ensure optimal performance, we conduct daily antenna maintenance at low tide, reinforcing masts and securing equipment against the elements.


While the DXpedition is focused on radio operations, daily life here includes more than just QSOs. As we are located on our own island, a part of the team recently made another grocery trip to Delap. Cooking various meals a day for 6 hungry operators and cleaning are part of our routine, adding an extra layer of challenge to this expedition.


We are steadily advancing toward our goal of 60,000 QSOs and are eager to make many more contacts with operators worldwide in the remaining days. In line with this objective, we are excited to announce that RTTY operations will start soon. Please refer to our planned frequencies and modes in our detailed band plan available on our website: bandplan


Our internet connection has become more stable, allowing us to provide real-time updates. The live log is now accessible on Clublog. We are committed to transparency and upload QSOs to LOTW at least once daily. If you notice any missing QSOs or discrepancies, please don’t hesitate to contact us at (info (at) next-generation-dx.com), though replies may be delayed.


We extend our gratitude to the global amateur radio community for your continued support and enthusiasm. Your participation fuels our dedication to this DXpedition, and we look forward to making many more contacts in the days to come.



V73WW Update (Feb 17)


The past two days have brought heavy rain and thunderstorms, resulting in very high QRN levels, particularly on the low bands. Aurora activity is also affecting our signal paths through the north, adding to the complexity.


Participation in the ARRL CW contest has been successful, with 3.5k QSOs logged and uploaded to Clublog and LOTW. Although this was not a full-time effort, we managed to work many stations beyond the USA and Canada.


Despite the challenging conditions, we continue operations as weather permits. We aim to return to 160 meters as soon as QRN levels become manageable. We are also QRV on 6 meters.


High bands experienced massive pileups, with 35% of our logged QSOs from Europe across all bands. After SSB pileups, our voices are recovering, and we are prepared for more action. Antenna checks and maintenance are conducted every morning after high tide, including cleaning salt from insulators and making necessary repairs to ensure optimal performance.


We are committed to daily uploads to Clublog, with a full and final log to be published after the DXpedition. If you find any missing QSOs, please email us (info (at) next-generation-dx.com), but be patient as our internet access is limited, and responses may be delayed. While there is no livestream at the moment, work is in progress.


Thank you for your support and understanding. We look forward to making more QSOs with all of you!



V73WW Update (Feb 14)


The team is in very good spirits, though the antenna installations continue. As of today we are QRV from 80m through 6m. QSOs on all these bands were conducted successfully already.


A first try out with a lowband RX antenna away from the shack will likely happen tonight. As we post this, we are currently working on the project in the middle of the night. We are also searching for a local noise source on island which is causing us little interference on the lowbands.


The highband VDAs are standing strong against the tide and wind in a very hot climate. Our 160m antenna has been prepared today and will go up just after sunrise in the early morning. Thus, it will be ready just in time for our planned ARRL CW contest effort.


Further, there is still no internet availability in the shack due to several crazy reasons. We are on it to solve the issue timely.


A manual log upload to Clublog including LOTW is done once or twice per day free of charge.


Thanks for all QSOs and the amazing feedback so far, we love this game!



V73WW Update (Feb 12)


After many hours of travel, the team touched down in Majuro at 23:00 UTC on February 10th — local time 11:00 AM, February 11th. We saw Johnston atoll from the plane as well. (It’s easy to remember the UTC time here, as we are exactly on the opposite side of the globe from Greenwich, in UTC+12.)


We were picked up by our host, who rented an extra pickup truck for us. After a supply run, we took a boat to our small island within the Majuro Atoll, hauling all our equipment ashore and unpacking.


We have sent out certificates of appreciation to our supporters and updated our website to include the callsigns of all our donors. A huge thank you to everyone who contributed to making this DXpedition possible!


Yesterday and today have been sweaty, labor-intensive days, setting up antennas in the humid heat and strong sun. We have a clear takeoff to all directions, especially Europe, Japan, and North America. Some antennas were installed directly in the water current along the beach, which remains submerged even at low tide, requiring creative solutions to secure them properly. All planned high-power stations are now operational, and full operation is expected soon. We are also preparing for the ARRL CW contest. RX antennas will be set up before the weekend as planned.


So far, we’ve built a 1/4 wave for 40m, raised 2.5 meters above the water with four elevated radials. We also set up a 30m vertical dipole and a 1/4 wave 80m vertical directly on the beach, supported by an 18m Spiderpole. Unfortunately, the 80m feed box was damaged during air cargo transport, so it’s currently working for CW only. Other antennas include a DX Commander, a 4-element 10m Yagi, a 10m 2-element VDA, a 12m 2-element VDA, a 15m 2-element VDA, and a 6m 4-element Yagi.


We became QRV about two hours ahead of our originally announced 00:00 UTC start time and had already logged 500 contacts on two bands by then. Since that moment, Europe has been coming in strong during the evening hours. Naturally, Japan and the USA are loud on the higher bands during the day. We’ve also received multiple audible reports from home supporters.


There is currently no internet access in the shack, we will upload logs to Clublog when time permits, at least once a day. Clublog livestream expected to be online very soon.


Our Marshallese hosts have been incredibly welcoming—one even climbed a coconut tree to help us mount an antenna. We’re cooking for ourselves and settling in, making this island our home for the next two weeks. Hope to see you in the log!



V73WW Update (Jan 16)


We are thrilled to announce that our upcoming DXPedition to the Marshall Islands has been assigned the callsign V73WW. Our team will begin operations on 12th February 2025 for approximately 12 days, though times may vary based on local conditions. Stay tuned to Facebook and X for the latest updates and frequency information.


QSL Service and Sponsorship Opportunity

We are offering a special sponsorship opportunity for radio amateurs to support our DXPedition! With a donation of €20 / $20 or more before the first QSO, you will receive free direct QSL service for your callsign.


QSL cards will be managed by DJ4MX, and we will use ClubLog OQRS, with a direct QSL option available after the DXPedition. Free OQRS Buro will be available later.


In addition, we plan to provide daily LoTW uploads, depending on internet availability, and a live log via Clublog when possible, giving you real-time access to your QSOs.


A Heartfelt Thanks to Our Sponsors

We are incredibly grateful to all of our sponsors—individuals, clubs, foundations, and corporate partners—who have helped make this project possible. We encourage everyone to take a moment to visit and acknowledge our generous supporters.


Special Recognition and Logo Introduction

A big thank you goes out to the ARRL LoTW team for issuing our LoTW certificate so promptly ahead of our departure to ensure a seamless LoTW process for everyone. We are also excited to introduce the official V73WW logo, which was designed by Gerrit Herzig, DH8GHH. It is a visual symbol of our dedication and connection to the Marshall Islands. This logo will be prominently displayed on all our media and QSL materials.


Stay Informed and Stay Connected

Our operations will span multiple bands and modes, providing plenty of opportunities to log this rare V7 entity. For live updates, operational frequencies, and behind-the-scenes content, follow us on Facebook and X.


We look forward to making contact with you and logging V73WW!




Exciting News: Next Generation DXPedition to the Marshall Islands (V7) Kicks Off in February 2025!


Greetings, fellow DXers and ham radio enthusiasts! We’re thrilled to bring you the latest update on the upcoming DXPedition to the Marshall Islands (V7) scheduled for February 2025. As announced earlier in May, this highly anticipated adventure will see a team of six skilled operators heading to the remote and beautiful Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI). The team is set to operate for 12 days, bringing V7 into the logs of thousands of stations worldwide.


What makes this DXPedition particularly exciting is that four of the six operators were part of the highly successful 8R7X - Guyana 2024 project, which took place earlier this year. You all know this DXPedition due to its massive impact, as it was led by a youth group that ventured to this South American destination. Their success in Guyana has set a high bar, and they’re ready to bring that same energy and expertise to the Marshall Islands.


DXCC Ranking and Mode Needs

For those chasing DXCC, you’ll be excited to know that the Marshall Islands (V7) is currently ranked #96 globally within the Clublog Most Wanted list. This DXCC entity is highly needed across all modes, but especially in SSB and Data modes like RTTY and FT8. Our team is committed to ensuring that we maximize coverage in these modes, so don’t miss the opportunity to make that all-important contact with V7!


Meet the Team

Leading this ambitious project is none other than Philipp Springer (DK6SP), a 26-year-old operator known for his leadership and passion for amateur radio. Co-leading the team is Sven Lovric (DJ4MX), a 22-year-old operator with a remarkable track record. Joining them are Tomi Varro (HA8RT), aged 25; Jamie Williams (M0SDV), aged 24; and the seasoned and highly respected operator Emir “Braco” Memic (E77DX), aged 50. We’re also excited to announce that a young and ambitious operator will be joining us soon, completing this dynamic team. Feel free to check out each of the operators’ biographies here.


Thus, this is a highly skilled and young team. The project is also solely organized by youth operators.


QTH Secured and Fundraising Efforts Underway

We’re happy to report that the team has secured a fantastic location (QTH) in the Marshall Islands and made the first significant payment towards making this dream a reality. This operation would not be possible without the generous support from our community, and we’re grateful to those who have already pledged their contributions. Fundraising with clubs has started in earnest, and we’re excited to see the positive response. Several clubs have already agreed to support our mission and are proudly listed on our website.


Are you or your club interested in supporting our team? We would love to hear from you! Please see our website here or reach out to us at info@next-generation-dx.com to explore how you can be a part of this incredible journey.


Securing Essential Equipment

In addition to the financial backing, we’re delighted to have the continued support of our trusted partners, Spiderbeam and Mastrant. Both companies are generously providing the essential equipment we need to build a large-scale station on V7 - RMI. Their top-notch gear is crucial for ensuring we have a successful and efficient operation, and we can’t thank them enough for their ongoing support.


Fundraising Target and How You Can Help

To make this DXPedition a resounding success, we’ve set a fundraising target that will help cover all operational costs, including equipment transport, accommodation, and other logistical expenses. Every bit helps, and we welcome contributions from individuals who want to support this exciting project.


Donations can be made quickly and securely via PayPal or by Credit/Debit Card. If you prefer, you can also wire money directly to the bank account listed on our website. Every contribution, no matter how big or small, brings us one step closer to putting the Marshall Islands on the air for radio amateurs worldwide.


Further, become an individual sponsor with a donation of €20 / $20 before the first QSO from V7 and receive free direct QSL for your callsign!


We’re incredibly excited about this DXPedition and the opportunity to bring the magic of V7 to your radios. Stay tuned for more updates as we get closer to our February 2025 departure date. Thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to making this a DXPedition to remember!


73,The Next Generation DX Team


 
 
 

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