Support the future of amateur radio and snag two never-before-activated POTA locations! DX Engineering provides critical equipment for the Saba Island activation.
In partnership with Youth on the Air (YOTA), the PJ6Y activation of Saba Island October 17-28 will feature a multinational group of nine young operators, ages 16 to 28, representing five countries and various skill levels.
DX chasers hoping to capture this 162nd most wanted DXCC location—a combined entity with St. Eustatius—can reach PJ6Y on 160-6M (including 60M) in CW, SSB, and FT8. Get up-to-date information at the PJ6Y website.
In addition, 40 young hams will be operating remotely thanks to Elecraft K4D-based NexGenRib2 systems that will be deployed on Saba Island, a five-square-mile island in the Caribbean with a population of around 2,100—the smallest territory by permanent population in the Americas. The transceivers were made possible through a grant from the Northern California DX Foundation.
For Parks on the Air® (POTA) enthusiasts, the DXpedition offers two opportunities to contact these never-before-activated locations: BQ-0008 Mount Scenery National Park and NL-0135 Saba National Marine Park.
“We will do our best to bring both onto the air, offering a unique experience for chasers and a great opportunity for our young operators,” said Gregg, W6IZT, PJ6Y team leader.
In the video below, watch Tim Duffy, K3LR, DX Engineering CEO, interview W6IZT about the PJ6Y team, the challenges of such an operation, the “blue ribbon” list of supporters, and plans for future youth-driven projects:
Along with the youth operators, W6IZT will be joined by Jeff, NM1Y. One of the stations will be at his QTH, where they will be participating in the CQ WW SSB contest. Other team members are veteran DXpedtioner Glenn, W0GJ; Connor, KD9LSV, an on-island team member of the 2024 3D2Y Rotuma activation; and Robin, W7YED. Several youth remote operators from 3D2Y are part of the nine-member YOTA team.
Gear Provided by DX Engineering to be Used on Saba Island
As an equipment sponsor of PJ6Y, DX Engineering is proud to contribute the following:
The DXE-CSB31-275-10 kit comes with 10 0.250 I.D. snap-on Mix 31 ferrite beads. Find many more ferrite options here. (Image/DX Engineering)
DX Engineering also provided an LDG Electronics RU-1:1 UNUN and Synthetic Textile Industries Antenna Support Rope.
Watch this video from DX Engineering partner Q5 Worldwide Ham Radio about PJ6Y:
OnAllBands will be writing more about the Saba Island DXpedition in the days ahead. Stay tuned!
