Update Jult 18 2026: Sands, VK4WXW has returned to  Willis Island (OC-007)  and  will be stationed at the  Australian Bureau of Meteorology's  weather monitoring facility until late October or early November. After recently returning to the air,  he expects to become  increasingly active as VK9WX in the coming weeks. He operates SSB and FT8 on 40, 20, 15 and 10 metres with a vertical antenna,  though he plans  to add  an inverted L for  lower-frequency operations in the near future.  

QSL via M0OXO's OQRS.

[TNX The Daily DX]

Update Jult 15, 2026: Sandeep "Sands", VK4WXW, announces: "I am back on Willis Island for a Winter tour 2026. Will update the QRZ page in a few days, 73, Sands.."

QSL via M0OXO.

Update April 29, 2023: VK9WX is now QRT.

Update April 2, 2023: The changeover of crew is expected at the end of April, when Sands will become QRT.  Meanwhile he is quite active on FT8.

Update February 23, 2023: He is now also QRV in FT8

Update January 1, 2023: Sands has added dipoles for 6 and 10m, so the can also try those bands.

Update December 24, 2022: Sands continues to be active on 40 and 20m DX nets when time permits. QSL manager is M0OXO and cards are likely to be available early into the New Year.

DX-World publishes the following information from Sands, VU2WXW / VK4WXW: The Australian Bureau of Meteorology has a weather monitoring station on Willis Island. The station was established in 1921, it serves as an early cyclone warning service for the state of Queensland.

The meteorological station is staffed by crew of 4 that rotate every 6 months. There are 2 Observers (including myself), 1 Officer In Charge (OIC/Observer) and 1 Technician. I have been on the Island since October 2022 and will be here until the end of April 2023.

My operating position on Willis Island is a Yaesu FT-891 transceiver with a DX Commander Classic multiband vertical antenna. I have an SDRplay receiver that I am yet to setup.

I am hoping to make a number of contacts during my time here. Thank you for visiting the VK9WX QRZ page and look forward to having a QSO with you on the air!

73’s & Best Regards,
Sands (VK9WX)