Vanuatu DXpedition
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Van Herridge, N4VGE
November 17, 2022 Team Leader
843-303-1885
vanherridge@gmail.com
Vanuatu DXpedition Being Planned
CHARLESTON, SC – A group of Amateur Radio Operators (hams) are organizing a DXpedition
to Vanuatu in the South Pacific for two weeks in December 2024 for the ARRL 10 meter
Contest. Not every DXpedition has to be a trip into the wilderness or to an island in a rubber raft.
We have located a top 100 most wanted DX country with commercial airlines service, rental
homes, electrical power, a city with 40,000+ population, and lovely beaches from which we can
operate.
On the DX Most Wanted Countries, Vanuatu is
number 100 out of 340 countries. It’s main island is Efate (IOTA OC-035), in the Province of Shefa. Vanuatu’s capital city Port Vila is located on the main island and has a large Expat population but no hams. It has commercial air service to Australia, Fiji, Honolulu, and New Zealand.
In this nation of tiny islands and indigenous villages, Port Vila is the exception: a bustling port
town with hotels, restaurants and markets to delight visitors and cruise ship passengers. The
150-foot-high Mele Cascades waterfall is the ideal place to refresh yourself in the South Pacific
heat. For a glimpse of real Vanuatu culture and traditions, travelers say a trip to Ekasup Village is
a must. See Vanuatu video at: https://youtu.be/wK-DXdi9SB8
Operating CW, SSB, RTTY, and FT8 we are expecting to
make over 50,000 QSOs over the two week period with
over 10,000 during the ARRL 10m Contest on December
14-15, 2024. We have over $50,000 committed for the
DXpedition plus a Flex 6700, Yaesu FTDX10, Icom 7300,
and a Yaesu FT891. The budget per person is $6,500 and spouses are encouraged to join.
Since we are older hams (average age of 70) we are bringing our wives for them to enjoy sunbathing, snorkeling, scuba diving, sightseeing, and shopping while we operate. We are hoping that they will keep our spirits and energy up with good food and drink. There are numerous Youtube videos on Vanuatu including Vanuadu Dxpeditions made by others. We are currently working on a website,
vanuatudxpedition.org, so we can keep everyone advised of the latest news about the Vanuatu DXpedition and post the names of sponsors.
We are looking for four more hams and their wives to join us for this exciting DXpedition and
sponsors to help with the antennas systems. I can be contacted at vanherridge@gmail.com or
843-303-1885.
Sponsors:
