Update January 10, 2025:  3Y0K DXpedition to Bouvet Island, 1st February 2026

- Where we will stay for about 3 weeks on the island

- Team of 18-24 operators

- Budget $1,675,000

We are pleased to announce the completion of a major milestone having signed a contract with ICETUGS (https://icetugs.com/) which will take us to Bouvet Island in February 2026. ICETUGS, an Iceland based company, has an excellent track record in providing services for expeditions, cargo and fuel supply, towing as well as rescue and camp setting up in the Arctic and Antarctic regions. We also report the signing of the helicopter contract with Ultimate Aviation based in Cape Town. This group will provide us with a helicopter, two pilots and a mechanic for this project. Their crew has extensive experience in offshore operations in Antarctica, Marion, Gough and da Cunha Islands, including ship to shore, sling and hoist operations associated with police force, military and private projects. This year they celebrate 10 years of operations in Antarctica 2015-2205. We are confident that the helicopter and boat crew will make a big difference to us in activating Bouvet Island.

We will be leaving Cape Town on 1st February, 2026, and the DX expedition is scheduled for 36 days. We intend to stay on the island for 21+ days which will give us enough time to wait for good conditions to disembark the team and all equipment. The leaders have previous experience landing on Bouvet Island in 2023 and together with the entire team are prepared and committed to the revival of Bouvet. We obtained the helicopter permit 6 months ago and with the 3Y0K license in hand we have all the necessary approvals to go ashore.

Our first deposit of $450,000 will be paid on January 20th, 2025. Given the overall budget of $1,675,000, we are partnering with a small private group to share the costs. Our team would like to take this opportunity to thank all the clubs, associations and foundations, as well as individuals who have already given us their support. Going to such remote places would not be possible without these generous contributions. In the meantime, we invite those who have not yet done so to visit our website (www.3y0k.com) and consider making a donation using the appro-riate button or directly through PayPal (donate@3y0k.com) to help us offset some of our costs.

We are grateful to NCDXF for supporting our expedition. There will be two grants of up to $200,000 in total. The first will be a down payment of $100,000. The second will be a dollar-for-dollar donation up to $100,000. The donation will be a challenge for clubs and amateurs to donate prior to the DXpedition. Please help us reach this goal.

You can follow our plans at (www.3y0k.com) or through our trusted media outlets The Daily DX and EA1CS DX info. You can contact us at (admin@3y0.no) or through our press officer James, KB2FMH. We are also looking for more operators. Interested parties should contact us at (admin@3y0.no).

Our DX Peter I expedition (https://3y0l.com/)is on track as we have received entry permission from NPI and will sign a contract with ICETUGS to take us there in 2027.  We will provide more information at a later stage.

Thank you,  73, Team 3Y0K

Update October 26, 2024:  From Ken, LA7GIA:

The Bouvet 2026 3Y0K team is still working on the contracts for the boats and helicopters and we are in the final stages before signing the contracts. We are sorting out the last minute agreements and we are still looking for more operators for the Bouvet team......Funding for these two DX expeditions is also highly dependent on us getting a full team of operators on board who will contribute their participation fee. If you would like to join our team, please contact (admin@3y0.no) or Cezar, VE3LYC directly.

We estimate that we will stay on the island for three weeks and the total duration should be about 38 days for Bouvet. We have all helicopter and landing permits issued by NPI to go ashore on Bouvet with a large scale operation. DX planning is time consuming as logistics need to be coordinated with other expeditions and that is why it takes time to sign contracts. Our plans are to use the same ship for both DX expeditions. First, the ship and crew will take us to Bouvet where we will land with a helicopter, then our equipment and materials will be shipped to South America and stored there before returning a year later to go to Peter I Island.

Thank you, 73, Bouvet team and Peter I

Update September 18, 2024: By LA7GIA - "This is a logistically challenging project, where ships and helicopters have to be coordinated, contracts have to be made well in advance. We have studied several offers for ship and helicopter services, in line with the scope of this project. Due to the postponement from 2025 to 2026, we also had to renegotiate the terms. We are now in the final stage of negotiating the ship and helicopter contracts for the 3Y0K DX expedition to Bouvet Island planned for 2026 (www.3y0k.com). We have agreed on the important price elements in these contracts and will publish more information once we have all the full details.

For now, our goal is to fully fund this trip in advance. This is a major DX expedition where we are also partnering with a small private group to share the cost and risk of this expedition. In addition, funding for this trip is highly dependent on us building a team of 20 operators to fund the budget. We are 14 operators and are actively looking for another 6 operators to complete the team . As we approach the final stage of negotiations, we are again asking for anyone who would like to join our team to take part in this once in a lifetime adventure. We estimate that we will stay on the island for 21 days and the total duration should be around 40 days. If you would like to join our team, please contact (admin@3y0.no) or Cezar, VE3LYC, directly. For Peter I, we are still looking for another 3 operators before the team is complete."

Update August 18, 2024: By LA7GIA - "We are still looking for operators for our Bouvet 2026 and Peter I Island 2027 DXpeditions. We’ll have a team of more than 20 operators, using a large vessel and helicopters to get ashore. If interested, please contact us at admin@3y0.no"

Update July 17, 2024: We are still negotiating contracts for the DXpedition to Bouvet Island. This DXpedition will be a large scale operation with 20-24 operators and we are looking for 4-6 more CW/SSB operators to complete the team.

We are looking at various options on how to run the expedition, where the focus now is on helicopter logistics. Previously, at the end of June, we received the helicopter permit from the Norwegian Polar Institute and therefore have all the permits we need to activate Bouvetøya. The helicopter permit allows us to set up camp on the SE or SW side of the island.

In 1927, the first expedition from Norway landed on Bouvetøya and claimed it for Norway. They also landed on “Larsøya”, a small rocky island in the SW part of Bouvetøya. Our entry permit extends from the plateau above this SW corner to the SE part at Cape Fie. 99 years after the expedition to Norway we plan to land on Bouvetøya with helicopters.

Our permit is valid for a helicopter operation in the period November 2025 to March 2026 .

Update June 26, 2024, by LA7GIA:  Today 3Y0K received the helicopter permit from Norwegian Polar Institute to make landing in the period November 2025 to March 2026. Permit allow us to setup camp at the plateau above Larsya (South West) with clear take-off to North America to Cape Fie (South East).

Update June 17, 2024:  The landing and operations plan is being revised. We are developing a team of seasoned expeditioners and will post when set. Dates: January 2026

Update June 4, 2024:  We have temporarily suspended Donations. Existing sailboat contract have been cancelled and there will be no January 2025 operation.
We are currently negotiating the contract for a large expedition vessel + helicopter operation to take place 2026.

Update May 9, 2024, by LA7GIA: Just a quick update. Some guys have been asking for updated information. We are still exploring what may be a feasible option for us to execute both Bouvet and Peter I. There is a lot of work going on and we have seen some progress. We will release more information as soon as we reach a definitive conclusion, tentatively in June. 

Update April 12, 2024, by LA7GIA: Unfortunately, the financial risk for the small team is too high and we will spend the next few weeks in April assessing the situation and deciding what to do. We will explore all possible options and will return with more information once we have reached a conclusion. We will not collect donations in this period.

Update March 31, 2024, by LA7GIA: We have made some further adjustments as Allan EA3HSO is replacing Dave WD5COV as a Bouvet operator. Dave has to withdraw due to family reasons.

We will update our website to reflect the latest changes with the removal of remote radios; the current Bouvet operation is thus planned with only local radios. Our four-man support team together with four crew members will be assisting us setting up and running the camp. This will add operating time for the 3 operators that will seek to have 3-5 radios running simultaneously.

We still plan for a 2nd QTH dedicated to run NA stations. This QTH will provide a better take off and will contain two stations covering 40-10m, and this will also give us antenna separation to run in-band.

The main QTH is still a good location for 160/80 to North America. Our setup is simple but yet powerful enough to achieve a good result, similar to other trips we have conducted. With the sponsored lightweight 1500W RF Kit amplifiers we will have enough power on all modes.

The team have self-funded $280,000 of the trip but we still need $75,000 to go to Bouvet to finance the entire $400,000+ budget. We’re seeking further donations to reduce the risk involved for our small 3 man team.

A final decision will be made in late April depending on the funds we have raised at that time, and we’re still considering other options. If you want to see 3Y0K Bouvet activated for up to 21 days, please consider making a donation in April.

Update March 10, 2024, by LA7GIA: Our plans are firm and we have everything setup for the January 2025 trip where we plan to depart early that month.

We have set all contracts we need which includes vessel contract but also a logistics and landing contract, and we’re the only group with a valid DXpedition license for that period. No other group have a valid license, as such there is only one team with an offical plan and with all license and contracts in place.

However, the fundraising has been a bit bumpy and this has impacted the Bouvet DXpedition negatively. All major EU clubs have supported us with the amounts we have asked for, but some US clubs are on the sideline. Due to this we have made the following decisions:

Bouvet vessel inspection and deposit have been postponed with two months until May 2024.
ALL purchases have been postponed until May.
The remote RIB operation has been cancelled, there is no time to deal with that. The 7 man team will operate locally on the island with 6 radios and amplifiers.
Budget have been cut to bare minimum of what we need and reduced to $400,000, we can only spend more money if we get sufficient support.
The team need more support, and with the adjustments we still need a minimum of $85,000 to make it to Bouvet. We ask all individuals to support our mission to activate Bouvet and Peter I Island. Our Peter I DX-pedition plans are on track. We have a letter of commitment from the owner of the vessel and we are waiting for the landing permit to be issued by NPI.

However, at this stage it is important to understand that Bouvet is the priority and should we have to postpone or cancel the Bouvet DX-pedition this will also similarly impact Peter I. We are in a good position to execute Peter I as we have signed a sponsor agreement, and together with the 19 operators participation fee we have already secured 80% of the overall cost going with a vessel with 2 helicopters!

But, Peter I DX-pedition will not take place unless we raise sufficient funds to activate Bouvet. We will use March and April to see how much of the $85,000 we can raise, and will make a decision in May depending on the funds raised.

We’re inviting all individuals to support our Bouvet DX-pedition, please visit Donation Form – 3Y0K Bouvet Island DXpedition 2025. You can also donate directly via paypal donate@3y0k.com

Update January 16, 2024, by LA7GIA: What is the current 3Y0K plan for landing the equipment? Learning from the 3Y0J mistakes is essential to achieve success.

Last time we planned based on little to no information about the landing conditions. This time we base our plan on our own real experience – three of us already did many dinghy landings, and we know the waters.
This time we go with a lightweight but still powerful setup with amplifiers and yagi. We have removed all the heavy equipment like e.g 250 kg winch system that wasn’t suitable, heavy diesel generators, tools, 300 liter paraffin, excess water, guys stakes for tents, heavy antenna/mast system. There is no social tent, as we’re there to work the pileup, and we go with some smaller personal Norwegian winter rated tents that will also be emergency tents during first landing. These tents will be sponsored by a Norwegian manufacturer! The team will make the tent selection next month.

We have split the 1900 kg equipment, fuel, food and supplies in 3 stages where stage 1 and 2 is 750 kg each and stage 3 is 400 kg, where last stage mainly consisting of spare parts and more fuel. Breaking the numbers further down we see that each of the seven persons that will stay on the island have to carry 100 kg for stage 1 and 2 and 50 kg for stage 3. The 100 kg equals 5 trips with 20 kg each trip!

Again, if you were a 3Y0K operator you would have to carry a little over 100 kg that would typically be:

1x 23 kg barrel
1x Honda generator 22 kg
2x fuel cans 36 kg
1x antenna skibag 16 kg
1x misc bag/box 13 kg

The barrels contain, electronics, radio, amplifiers, food, etc. There is absolutely no doubt that the experience we have makes it possible to detail out exactly what we need to carry. Again would you think it is feasible to carry this amount of equipment, food, fuel and supplies? On the return we would have significant less weight to carry down from 1900 kg to only 1200 kg!

With $30,000 in donations, we still need your support to pay the $100,000 vessel deposit that is approaching. If you want to see Bouvet activated please consider supporting us on www.3y0k.com

Update January 2, 2024: To date we have secured $22,000 of the remaining $150,000 needed to reach the expedition budget. January and February are critical months to achieve the needed funding to make the expedition viable.

We will begin the purchase of equipment not committed as donations and continue to solicit sponsor agreements, but every dollar helps so please visit 3y0k.com and click that little donate button and remember, Century Club Donors will receive a special Thank You regardless of being in the log or not.

Coming in late February / early March we will have the vessel inspection to verify its seaworthiness for the long journey from the Falklands to Bouvet. At this time, we must make the first $100,000 deposit presuming the boat passes professional inspection so funding is time critical, please help if you can, with whatever you can.

We will also be procuring the custom-made tents to survive the harsh environment found from our previous activation of Bouvet as well as proper antenna systems. As earlier posted, we have a commitment from RF-KITS for five of their newest 2KW solid state amplifiers. Thanks to them for such a generous offer!

Up to June we will complete the testing of the remote equipment on a South Pacific expedition by some of our friends in the DX community and begin training the chosen remote operators. Note that the remote will be FT modes – all SSB and CW will be from the island only.

All other equipment, radios and antennas will be tested under duress to ensure all work without failure on Bouvet.

The next steps are to optimize our landing plan relative to predicted weather conditions, put the finishing touch on our logistics plan and prepare all equipment and supplies for shipping to the Falklands.

By Late August or early September, the container will be pack and sent to meet us at the boat in January or February of 2025.
The good part of all this is that all equipment, hard supplies and logistical materials will be used for our Peter I expedition the following year, greatly reducing the costs for that adventure.

And remember, this is not Only an expedition for DX, it is also good for IOTA, POTA and LAFF so there will be four unique things to gain from just a single contact. Unfortunately Bouvet or Peter I are not in navigable shipping lanes so there are no Lighthouses to offer..

Further updates will be posted as things progress and milestones reached.
See you in the Pileups.

James, KB2FMH / Pilot and media officer.

Update December 11, 2023: [PRESS RELEASE #2] – website up and running soon, and revealing some of our Bouvet plans, dedicated camp for North America (low angle take off).

We have worked on our website – and today we launch a common website for those two DXpeditions www.3y0.no / www.3y0k.com / www.3y0l.com

With this we start fundraising for our 3YØK Bouvet trip. At the time of our announcement we hold the only valid DXpedition callsign for Bouvet 3YØK, and we have signed on all contracts.

We’re seeking donations to cover our $440,000 budget where today we already have secured 67% of the funds. Thus we need in the order of $150,000 which is significantly less than all previous DXpeditions to Bouvet.

Some clubs and individuals have already donated – and we really appreciate it!

The team of 3 operators and 4 men support team will depart from Falkland island and will spend 14 days motor sailing to Bouvet. The vessel is a 65 ft steel motor sailer and is a former passenger vessel that has been refitted since 2020. After being refitted it will be considered as a new boat with all new interior and machine (5000h), two new masts, sails, genset, anchor, chain, all new hydraulics, EIRP, 12 men solas lift raft, radar, eco sounder, autopilot and increased fuel capacity and will be polar rated and with 5 water tight sections. Despite it is 65ft, the storage capacity is likely better than Marama as in addition to main deck has one large roof deck. We have scrutinized the equipment list and have significantly reduced the total weight from a whopping 7 ton to a slim 2.1 ton that includes fuel. We have already prepared a detailed loading plan and we know exactly how many barrels, skibags, boxes and pelicases to bring onshore and how to pack it. Our landing plans have been optimized and given our previous experience in landing we have a mature and realistic plan to go onshore that again will be a staged landing. We will be using 3 dinghys, where two dinghys will always be in the water at the same time. The Captain have been supporting private, government, film companies & tourist expeditions to high latitudes continually since 1997 and his crew is young in their 30s, but also experienced in these waters.

We have contracted 30 days around the island, and 21 days on the island, and the Captain have agreed this to be a performance clause. There exist liquidated damages in the contract should this be breached. DXpedition planning involves not only selecting radio, amplifier and antennas. DXpedition planning is also about risks, budget, finance, cash flow and contract clauses. We are the first one to know that there are unfinished business at Bouvet, and we have a strong desire to make it happen again. We have thus worked hard after the previous attempt to come in the position to announce a return to Bouvet and with our low cost project, dedicated and experienced team and duration, we have prepared ground for a feasible Bouvet project without breaking the bank.

Among other we will only use lightweight Honda generators, and we will go lightweight but with amplifiers and yagi from 20-10m. We would like to reveal our plans for a dedicated North America camp. During our previous attempt we scouted an area ½ mile west of the main camp. This area offer low angle take off to NA and will make our signals much louder all over NA compared to previous time. We will be able to setup a dedicated camp at the hill with clear take off to NA west coast (unobstructed view).

It will not be possible without your generous support and we are seeking donors to help us cover the remaining $150,000. Please visit our website for more information.

Thank you,

73, 3YØK

3Y0K DXpedition to Bouvetøya in January 2025 (#11 most wanted)
Up to 21 days on the island
A team of 3 operators + support team of 4 persons + remote team
Budget $440,000 where 2/3rd of budget is secured already
$150,000 in support needed
All permits in hand