Update November 8, 2025: Almost 15,000 QSOs in the log. 9L9L went QRT at 12:30z. Operators now on way back to join the rest of the 9L8MD team (TNX DX-World)

Update November 7, 2025: All fixed! The generator killed 2 power supplies, but I put two radios on the spare third supply, and since yesterday evening both radios running with just 50w on the air! Was all night on 40m CW with low power 50w — just great! I will stay until tomorrow until approx 1200Z and then back to base camp with 9L8MD team.
Emil DL8JJ

Members of the Mediterraneo DX Club is glad to announce that during 9L8MD (http://www.mdxc.support/9l8md), the incoming Dxpedition in Sierra Leone (October 29th-November 10th), there will be an “embedded” IOTA operation from Banana Island (IOTA AF-037). The island was activated last time in 2019 by the F6KOP team (9LY1JM).

To avoid any confusion with the ongoing 9L8MD operations from the mainland, the IOTA activity will use the special callsign, 9L9L (nine lima nine lima): the callsign has been granted by local TelecomunicationAuthority and already registered on LoTW.

Starting from Sunday, November 2nd, several landing teams of two operators each will alternate from the island, staying for three days-two nights in a local resort. Due to the lack of anything on the island, especially electricity, their operators will bring all the necessary stuff by boat with them, including a generator and gasoline. At the end of the three-day shift, the new team will bring the  refueling for the next three days.

Band of operations will be 40 through 6m, with verticals and 3 elements yagi for 6m. The island haven’t activated on 6m before.  This will be a big occasion to test “on the field” the two FLEX-8600M
recently supplied to MDXC by FLEX RADIO USA. An ICOM IC7000 will be dedicated to the 6 m band.

Since the shortage of electricity, radios will operate with just their barefoot power (100w), so to be heard on-air will be particularly challenging.

A online log will be available, but due to lack of internet connectivity, we can’t guarantee the real-time performance.

Further details about the 9L9L operations will be supplied step-by-step through our WhatsApp channel (https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb6VAGAId7nIXVb1w23t) and other DX information sites.

For OQRS request your QSL card in NOT required

Attention: If you want QSL direct for AF-037 operation, please send a separate request on separate envelopes - NOT together 9L8MD. Tnx.

QSL Policy

Manager: IK2VUC (GIULIANO MONDINI)
                   P.O. BOX 10
                   21052 BUSTO ARSIZIO (VA)
                   ITALY

Email: ik2vuc@aribusto.it (same address for PayPal) -

Fees:

* LoTW only (no QSL card): 2 € via PayPal (OQRS). The QSO will be loaded in December 2025.
* Paper QSL + LoTW (SASE) please include:
       3 green stamps – Europe
       4 green stamps – outside Europe except VK, ZL, Pacific Area
       5 green stamps – VK, ZL, Pacific Area

How to save time and money: request Paper QSL + LoTW through OQRS system. Please send the fee via PayPal as donation as follows:
       3 € – Europe
       4 € – outside Europe except VK, ZL, Pacific Area
       5 € – VK, ZL, Pacific Area

QSL card via bureau: please use OQRS, it's free of costs.

All HAMs supporting the DXpedition with at least 20 € will have their QSO uploaded to LoTW within 48 hrs from the QSO