Update October 16, 2024: They are already QRV.

Update September 9, 2024: Four hams are packing over 500lbs of equipment in suitcases and making their final plans for a DXpedition to Vanuatu, a small island nation between Australia and Fiji. Expect to hear them on the air from October 16th through October 29th. They will be operating two high power stations with a choice of seven antennas. There is room for one or two more hams
in their luxury villa located on a South Pacific beach. If interested please contact Van as soon as possible at: vanherridge@gmail.com

The hams are John Schroeder, K4QQG, from Hilton Head, SC; Nick Maslon, K1NZ/YJ0NZ, from Monson, MA; William “Savo” Savocool, K2SAV/YJ0SA from Schenectacy, NY; and Van Herridge, the team leader, N4VGE/YJ0VV from Charleston, SC. The QSL Manager is Nathan Wood, K4NHW, who will oversee live uploads to ClubLog and coordinate QSL cards.

Planning for this DXpedition started in 2022 with plans to concentrate on SSB and participate in the 2024 CQ WW SSB Contest on October 26-27th as a high power M2 designation using the callsign YJ0VV. Antennas are: 10-160m full size inverted V, 6-20 BuddiHex, 40m phased vertical array, 15m 5/8 wave vertical, 80-160m receive only pennants, 160m sloper, and a 10-40m DX Commander Expedition.

In addition to operating as a DX station we will have the opportunity to operate at several POTA and IOTA locations. If interested contact Van, N4VGE/YJ0VV, as soon as possible.

Van Herridge N4VGE/YJ0VV

Update July 17, 2024: DX Engineering has become a major sponsor for the October 2024 Vanuatu DXpedition. With their help there will be two stations on the air from October 16-30, 2024. Priority for the DXpedition will be the 2024 CQ WW SSB Contest on October 26-27. We will be operating High Power multi-multi.

Vanuatu is an island nation between Fiji and Australia and accessible by commercial airlines. Plans for the DXpedition are being handled by Van Herridge, N4VGE/YJ0VV, who has made reservations at a luxury villa, Asana, just outside of Vanuatu’s capital only 100m from the beach.

Currently there are three hams committed to going: John Schroeder, K4QQG; Nick Maslon, K1NZ / YJ0NZ; and myself. The DXpedition is from October 16 – 30, 2024 and there is enough room in a luxury villa for two additional hams and their XYLs or OM. Those not operating the radios will find a safe and hospitable, Pacific paradise. There will be several contests during the DXpedition including the CQ World-Wide SSB Contest. Timing will allow us to take advantage of the excellent Southern Hemisphere springtime propagation on top of the best sunspot activity in years.

Equipment includes a Flex 6700, Icom 7300, and a Yaesu 891 for several POTA activations. Matched to these will be an Acom 1200s and ETO 91B legal limit amplifiers. Antennas will include a 6-20m Hexbeam, 10-160 inverted V fed by ladder line, an end fed 160m long wire, multi-band vertical, vertical arrays, bazooka long wire, DX Commander Expedition (for POTA) and additional antennas.

In addition to operating as a DX station we will have the opportunity to operate at several POTA and IOTA locations.

If interested contact Van, N4VGE / YJ0VV, as soon as possible. We leave in three months. Will you be with us?

Van Herridge N4VGE / YJ0VV

Update April 16, 2024: With a budget of only $5,000 you can become a part of a Luxury DXpedition to Vanuatu which is only 84 on ClubLog’s SSB most wanted list. Vanuatu is an island nation between Fiji and Australia and accessible by commercial airlines. Plans for the DXpedition are being confirmed by Van Herridge, N4VGE/YJ0VV, who has made reservations at a luxury villa just outside of Vanuatu’s capital only 100m from the beach.

The DXpedition is from October 16-30, 2024 and there is enough room in a luxury villa for three additional hams and their XYLs or OM. Those not operating the radios will find a safe and hospitable, Pacific paradise. There will be several contests during the DXpedition including the CQ World-Wide SSB Contest. Timing will allow us to take advantage of the excellent Southern Hemisphere springtime propagation on top of the best sunspot activity in years. Van will be taking his Flex 6700 with an Acom 1200s amplifier. We need one more radio and amplifier to operate M2 during the contests. Antennas will include a 6-20m hex beam, 10-160 inverted V fed by ladder line, an end fed 160m long wire, multi-band vertical, vertical arrays, bazooka longwire, and additional antennas.

In addition to operating as a DX station we will have the opportunity to operate at several POTA and IOTA locations. We have secured a QSL Manager to handle the over 40,000 expected contacts. If interested contact Van, N4VGE / YJ0VV, as soon as possible, only three more hams are needed.

We leave in six months. Will you be with us?

Van Herridge N4VGE / YJ0VV
843-303-1885

Update March 1, 2024: From Van N4VGE:

I am organizing a two week DXpedition to Vanuatu for the CQ WW SSB Contest this October.  Vanuatu is #74 for phone on ClubLog and #105 overall. I have made arrangements for luxury accommodations, Asana, on Efate Island and will be able to set up antennas right on the beach. One station will be a Flex 6700 with an Acom 1200s and we are now assembling a second station. We need three more hams to operate M2 with a goal of finishing in the top 5 in the world. 

Update February 1, 2024: This is the DXpedition you have been waiting for. For this two week DXpedition we are mixing holiday and serious DXing. We have limited openings but no matter what your style, you will be welcome. We will be in Vanuatu during several contests including the CQ World-Wide SSB Contest. We will be in Vanuatu from October 16-30, 2024. Timing will allow us to take advantage of the excellent Southern Hemisphere springtime propagation on top of the best sunspot activity in years. Since Vanuatu is #74 for most wanted phone on ClubLog there should be plenty of pileups.

This DXpedition is open to all hams and their spouses. We have contracted with Vanuatu Luxury Holiday Homes on Efate Island for the Asana home just outside of the capital of Vanuatu, Port Vila, and have sent a deposit. It sleeps nine in five bedrooms and has four bathrooms. For eight guests it will only cost $1,500 US per person for two weeks. Each person should have an additional budget of $1,000 US for food, island transportation, and incidentals. Flight cost is not included which would fluctuate depending on departure city, class of flights, insurance and baggage.

In addition to operating as a DX station we will have the opportunity to operate POTA and IOTA. We have secured a QSL Manager to handle the over 40,000 expected contacts. If interested contact Van, N4VGE / YJ0VV, as soon as possible, only three more hams are needed.

Update January 9, 2024: Callsign issued is YJ0VV.

Update January 28, 2023: The planning is well underway for a group of Amateur Radio Operators (hams) to participate in a DXpedition to Efate Island, Vanuatu in the South Pacific for two weeks in October 2024 instead of the previously announced December. This will allow them to take advantage of the Southern Hemisphere springtime propagation for radio signals and to take part in the CQ WWDX Phone Contest.

Not every DXpedition for ham radio operators has to be a trip into the wilderness or to an island in a rubber raft. They have identified that the top 101 most wanted DX country has commercial airlines service, rental homes, and electrical power. In addition there are lovely beaches from which they can operate ham radios and talk to other hams from around the world. Vanuatu is 3,000 miles from Honolulu and 1,500 miles from Sydney, Australia.

The eight member team (N4VGE, WB4ZBR, KC5FM, W2FQ, K4QQG, WB2BXO, K3DNE and F1IXV) will be operating CW, SSB, RTTY and FT8.

Average age for the hams is 70 and about half are bringing their wives or girlfriends. They expect to make over 40,000 QSOs over the two week period with over 10,000 during the CQWW DX Phone Contest on October 26 – 27, 2024.

They have over $45,000 committed for the DXpedition plus a Flex 6700, Yaesu FTDX10, Icom 7300, and a Yaesu FT891. The budget per person is $4,500 and spouses were encouraged to join.

They are currently working on a website, vanuatudxpedition.org, so they can keep everyone advised of the latest news about the Vanuatu DXpedition and post the names of sponsors.

They are looking for sponsors to help with antenna systems and one or two backup hams in case there are any hams that have to cancel. The Team Leader, Van Herridge, N4VGE, can be contacted at vanherridge@gmail.com

A group of Amateur Radio Operators (hams) are organizing a DXpedition to Vanuatu in the South Pacific for two weeks in December 2024 (also covering 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 #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.

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 You Tube videos on Vanuatu including 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 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.

Thank you / 73

Van Herridge, N4VGE
2022 Team Leader