If you're a radio amateur who loves challenges, rare entities and the adrenaline rush of chasing new connections, get ready – VP2VRX DXpedition it might put you on the edge of your seat. Dominated by young operators, this ambitious campaign promises strong traffic from the British Virgin Islands (BVI) over a legendary weekend CQ WW SSB.
You will read in the article
🌴 Caribbean island, hundreds of call signs, one destination
VP2VRX will broadcast from DXCC entity #138, specifically from a location with a grid square FK78, v CQ zone 8 a ITU zone 11.
Its operation will cover bands from 6 m after 160 m, in modes SSB, CW also FT8.
Celé dianie sa začne mierne netradične – pred hlavným contestovým obdobím bude tím aktívny also ako NP2R from the US Virgin Islands (USVI) from October 20-22, which will serve as a test and run-up before the main block in the BVI (October 23-28).
👥 A team with the energy of the young generation
Čo robí VP2VRX výnimočnou? Nie je to len lokalita – ale jeho tím. Operátori majú výrazne pod 25 rokov a živia vášeň pre DX a contest. Medzi členov patria:
- W3MLJ (19) – expedition coordinator
- N4XTT (19) – manager QSL, operator
- KC1KUG (19) – technical coordinator and operator
- W9RFT – portable operation enthusiast
- KC3VPB (22) – station pilot, communicates with the community and manages the website
Na expedičných stránkach sa oznamuje, že tím už má licenciou udelenú volaciu značku, testované vybavenie a logistikou v plnom prúde.
🛰 Station, antennas and technology
The operation will be multi-station. Two main types of stations will operate:
- Run station (main burning station for pile-up) – Elecraft K3S + Buddihex, backup antennas like DX Commander Expedition and inverted L antennas for lower bands 80/160 m.
- In-band / multiplier station – Flex 6400, DX Commander verticals and other parasitic antennas such as EZ Antenna for better usability.
On the low bands (80 and 160 m) they will use inverted L antennas to cover contacts outside the normal HF routes.
🎯 Why you should watch VP2VRX
- Entities with a challenge – The BVI (British Virgin Islands) are among the popular but still lucrative entities, especially for European and North American interested parties.
- The "pre-test" effect in NP2R – tri dni podmienok USVI pred hlavným contestom pomôžu opraviť detaily a dolaďovať antény.
- Young operators = modern approach – new wind, modern technologies, determination.
- Abundant activity during CQ WW SSB – a lot of missing connections waiting for a moment this weekend.
- Community, QSL and feedback – N4XTT takes care of QSLs (both paper and electronic), LoTW, eQSL, OQRS.
British Virgin Islands
The British Virgin Islands (BVI) form an archipelago in the Caribbean Sea, which is a British overseas territory. It is located east of the Puerto Rico Trench and northeast of the US Virgin Islands. The total area is approximately 153 km² and around 30,000 inhabitants live here.
The archipelago consists of more than 60 islands and islets, of which only 16 are inhabited. The largest islands are Tortola (the main island with Road Town), Virgin Gorda, Anegada and Jost Van Dyke. Each of them offers a unique character – from the mountainous Tortola to the granite formations of Virgin Gorda to the coral Anegada.
The British Virgin Islands are known as a tax haven and a major center for offshore services. The economy is based primarily on financial services and tourism. The islands attract nautical enthusiasts - they are considered one of the best yachting destinations in the Caribbean.
For radio amateurs, the BVIs represent the VP2V entity on the DXCC list and are located in CQ zone 8. The climate is tropical with average temperatures of 25-29°C, creating ideal conditions all year round.
📡 How to be prepared
- Watch the web vp2vrx.com a blog sekciu pre aktuality a vybavenie testov: VP2VRX DXpedition
- Get your spotting software ready – active DX expeditions often lead to pile-ups, so being quick is key.
- Make sure you have the bands covered where you will be able to make these stations - 6m, 10m, 15m and 20m might be the right ones.
- Get ready QSO programy (logger), ideálne s možnosťou realizovať QSO vo viac módoch (SSB, FT8)
VP2VRX is not just another DXpedition - it is the challenge of a generation. Young operators bring enthusiasm, new ideas and an accelerated pace. If you're planning to turn on the radio in October and look for connections, don't forget this sign - you could be on the other side of the battery, which will bring you a unique entry in the diary.