Update November 14 2025:  As we announced from the beginning, LoTW is now loaded without making you wait 6 months (like this is becoming more and more frequent) and of
course LoTW confirmations are totally free for everyone.

Update October 22, 2025:  We are experiencing some issues with the FP5KE log. Based on your correction requests, we noticed that some bands were recorded incorrectly.

This happened when we shut down the stations to switch between generators.

After restarting, the CAT control did not always reconnect properly and some QSOs were logged on an incorrect band for a period of time. We are still working on corrections (thanks to Jean-Luc, F1ULQ for this hard work) and the opening of OQRS is slightly delayed. By the way, as the QSL cards are not printed yet, there is no real urgency on OQRS.

Shortly after OQRS becomes available we will also upload the final log to LoTW. Please note that one of F6KOP’s principles is to provide LoTW confirmations completely free for everyone within a reasonable timeframe.

We never « sell » LoTW confirmations and FP5KE will be no exception. Just a little more patience, we are back home for less than a month!

Update October 14, 2025:  There is now a 30 min. video available on the recent September FP5KE St. Pierre & Miquelon 2025 DXpedition by F6KOP team. The video is by Patrick,
F2DX, (DX AVENUE Production).  F2DX was keen to produce the FP5KE DXpedition video as quickly as possible so, he could present it as a preview at the 46th CDXC Convention, held this past weekend in the south of France. Let’s not forget that the Clipperton DX Club is one of their major sponsors, so it only made sense to make this extra effort. Now it's your turn to discover the FP5KE movie (which you can also watch in 4K if your setup allows it).

Update September 25, 2025:  A major storm is forecast for tomorrow, with heavy rain and winds exceeding 100 km/h. As a precaution we have started dismantling a large part of antennas earlier than planned. Tonight we will only keep 17m, 20m, 30m and 40m active. On September 26 sunrise FP5KE will go QRT and we will return to Saint-Pierre in the afternoon for a night at the hotel on solid ground before our specially chartered flight to St.John’s on Saturday morning at 8 am.

Last night we made a special effort in CW on 160m and 80m, hoping to make many more of you happy. Our counter now shows over 125,000 QSOs.

Update September 25, 2025: Yesterday, after 7 days of activity FP5KE has crossed the symbolic milestone of 100,000 QSOs, more than half of which are in human modes (CW, SSB RTTY).

Update September 21, 2025: The days go by and look much the same: since the first we constantly had wind but since yesterday it has raised even more and the temperature has dropped. The antennas are really challenged and the 160m vertical broke yesterday (but it has since been repaired).

Today is Jean-Luc F1ULQ’s birthday, this is quite unusual to celebrate on a remote island in the North Atlantic.

Propagation is better than expected, we even built a 12m vertical dipole to complement the Hexbeam and do inband operation. We have already made 77,000 QSOs and the expedition is not over. On 6m however, it is very quiet even if our station is transmitting all day long. On 2m EME we have logged more than 50 QSOs and on LEO satellites almost 100 QSOs.

Update September 15, 2025:  We arrived yesterday evening on ile aux marins. However, 11 pieces of luggage including all antennas and amplifiers were left behind in Canada (the plane was overloaded). We do not know yet when the situation will be resolved and consequently when operations will be able to start.

Update September 14, 2025: Taking advantage of a good Internet connection on our Paris – St. John's (Newfoundland) flight we would like to share a quick update. Check-in took
quite a while and we had to use the credit card again due to excess baggage charges (mainly for the five large antenna bags). Before that we had to pass customs to have our detailed temporary export declaration checked and validated.

We are currently somewhere over the middle of the Atlantic ocean. Once we land in Newfoundland, we will have very little time to collect all our luggage and check in again for the final St. John's – St. Pierre flight. Upon arrival we will need to take a bus and finally a boat to reach Île aux Marins.

Monday will be entirely dedicated to setting up the antenna, and operations are expected to begin by Monday evening at the earliest.

Update September 12, 2025:  To avoid creating unnecessary constraints for other expeditions operating at the same time, we have chosen not to publish a fixed band plan that we might not be able to maintain. Instead, by using ClubLog.org/livestream/FP5KE" target="_blank">ClubLog's Livestream, you will be able to know our frequencies in real time. We also invite you to review the operating guidelines available on our website.

Most of the team will begin their journey by train or plane on Saturday, September 13th, meeting up at a hotel near Charles de Gaulle Airport (Paris). Unless an air traffic controllers' strike disrupts everything, departure for St. John's (Newfoundland) is scheduled for Sunday at 11:35 local time. We will carry 900 kg of equipment which will be delivered at the airport by members of F6KOP radio club.

Update September 9, 2025: About EME operation...

* EME operation will not be a priority of our DXPedition but we will however do our best.
* QRG: 144.126 MHz – 1500 Hz – TX: 2nd.
* RIG: IC-9700 – 500W/1kW – preamp – 12-element DK7ZB 4 lambda Yagi.
* Operation will mainly be in JT65B or Q65B-60. CW (sked) possible at the end of the session.
* Our antenna polarization will be primarily horizontal. We will try to schedule a session in vertical polarization if needed (info via EA8DBM chat).
* We will do our best to be QRV for JA/VK during openings.
* FT8/SSB operation outside of EME openings, with skeds possible via  the ON4KST chat (maritime tropo).
* FP5KE will be QRV on EA8DBM EME chat: (https://www.emechat.com/)
* Our EME Manager is Guillaume, F4FET

Download Planning EME FP5KE.pdf

Update September 4, 2025:  A new receiving antenna has just arrived from Vertical-Array: the AEG Ultra Loop RX 40-80-160. We are already familiar with this antenna as we already used it during previous DXpeditions. Its main advantages are its lightweight (5 kg) and is easy to transport. We will have two of them this year to improve our reception on the low bands both in CW and SSB. Many thanks to Vertical-Array for their contribution to the success of our DXpedition. Larry F5PBM, our chief equipment manager at F6KOP, quickly assembled it before it was added to the FP5KE gear.

Update August 31, 2025:  Equipment preparation is over

We are now 15 days away. The preparation of the equipment for FP5KE was completed this weekend at Radio Club of Provins F6KOP. All our gear is packed, and every bag and case has been numbered. We will carry on board 16 cabin bags (12 kg each) containing the transceivers and some of the lighter amplifiers such as the ACOM 500s, and also with about ten laptops. The most of the equipment will travel as checked luggage with five 32 kg bags for the antennas and 14 bags of 23 kg for the gear. With 700 kg of luggage, this is even more than for previous F6KOP expeditions.

Update August 16, 2025:  We are now 30 days away. Preparation of the equipment for FP5KE intensified this weekend at Radio Club of Provins F6KOP.
A large part of our gear has been tested, including each station with its assigned PC. The masts were inspected, and the radials and bases of the vertical antennas were replaced. The 6-elt 6m antenna has been refurbished with new markings. Through the PRO-SIC company we also received the two ACOM 1200s amplifiers loaned by ACOM, along with great polos.

Check out the 40 photos of this preparation on our website

Update August 4, 2025: PRESS RELEASE No.4

Our dates are now confirmed: Arrival in Saint-Pierre via Newfoundland on September 14 in the evening, then transfer by boat to Île aux Marins, followed by a 1 km walk to reach our QTH. Operations are expected to begin on September 15th in the afternoon, after a full day of setup. We will leave Île aux Marins on September 26th in the evening for the return flights on September 27th via Newfoundland and then on to Paris. If all goes as planned, FP5KE should be on the air from September 15th to 26th.

This isn’t exactly what we originally planned for the return journey. Initially, we were supposed to sail back to Newfoundland and then charter a bus (350 km to the airport). Unfortunately, SPM-Ferries cancelled their Saturday boat due to maintenance (??). Since there are no scheduled flights to Newfoundland on September 27th, we had no choice but to charter an Air Saint-Pierre flight to
go back to Newfoundland. This increased the budget by €7300, but it was the only way to avoid shortening the DXpedition. It is definitely complicated and expensive to go to Saint-Pierre and Miquelon and any help is welcome.

Regarding EME (a first for a F6KOP DXpedition), due to the volume of equipment being transported we will limit ourselves to 144 MHz and have cancelled our plan to also operate on 1296 MHz. No
changes however for the HF and 6m bands (8 stations) or for satellite operations.

Update June 22, 2025:  On Île aux Marins our twenty or so antennas will be spread over an area of ​​13,000 m², with optimal take off in all directions. We will carry 800m of coaxial cable. The 2m/23cm EME station will be located in a tent to be as close as possible to the antennas.

Update May 11, 2025: PRESS RELEASE No.3

Our website (https://fp5ke.wordpress.com) is live! You will already discover: the composition of our team of 17 people including 16 oper ators, our equipment, the sponsors who have already placed their trust in us, a presentation page and a photo album about Saint-Pierre & Miquelon and our QTH on Île aux Marins.

For more information, especially regarding the dates, you'll have to wait a little longer as we're still exploring the possibility of earlier departures. Don’t worry, it will be in 2025. In any case, you'll be
informed well in advance by following our website, our new Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/fp5ke) or our press partners.

  --------------------------------------------------------
From their Web page, here is what we know.

Operators:
The following are the 16 operators were mentioned: Patrick/F2DX (Team Leader), Jean-Luc/F1ULQ (Co-Leader), Olivier/HB9GWJ, Frank/F4AJQ, Guillaume/F4FET, John/F5VHQ, Vincent/F4BKV, Diego/F4HAU, Misho/F8GGV/YU3FX, Eric/ON7RN, Andy/DL3GA, Xavier/F5NTZ, Damien/F4AZF, Jimi/F4DLM and David/F8AAN.

The 17th person on the team is Jean-Christophe/FP5AC, who will do the Cooking & Stewardship (an important role for the team and therefore for the success of the DX-

BAND PLAN:
Their band plan will be published on their Web page sometime before the expedition begins.

They will be working SPLIT only! Please pay attention to the SPLIT MODE on your transceiver before calling, and listen also to the operators instructions.
  CW   : up 1-10
  SSB  : up 5-20
  RTTY : up 3-10

FT8: The MSHV program (2 to 6 slots) will be used for FT8 on the announced frequencies. As a DXpedition (FOX mode) they will not be using F/H mode. All hunters can call us in normal mode (with locator or report) and stay on their frequency even for answering. Please do not call them on their transmission frequencies! The QSO will be logged on their side once they send RR73 or 73.

Equipment:
 * 8X TS-590SG
 * 5X ACOM 1010
 * 2X ACOM 1200s
 * 2X ACOM 500s
 * 1X Satellite station for RS-44 (and QO-100 if possible)
 * 1X 2m EME station
 * 1X 23cm EME station
 * 1X Pentaplexer for 10, 15, 20m
 * 1X Pentaplexer for 12, 17m
 * 5X High power Band Pass Filter for 10, 12, 15, 17, 20m
 * 20X Low power Band Pass Filter
 * 4X Winkeyer
 * 8X laptop with Win-test for CW/SSB, MSHV for FTx and N1MM for RTTY
 * 1 X Starlink
 * 2X 4G router (spare)
 * 15 kVA Diesel generator
 * 500m of coaxial cable
 * Hexbeam 5 bands @10m with 20-15-10m Pentaplexer
 * Hexbeam 5 bands @10m with 17-12m Pentaplexer
 * 20m VDA
 * 17m VDA
 * 15m VDA
 * 10m VDA
 * 30m vertical quarter wave
 * 40m vertical quarter wave + dipole (inband)
 * 60m vertical quarter wave
 * 80m vertical quarter wave + dipole (inband)
 * 160m quarter wave vertical with top-loading
 * 6m 6el DX Beam
 * Satellite antennas for RS-44 & QO-100
 * 2m EME antennas
 * 23cm EME antennas
 * Low band receiving antennas (Beverage & Vertical-Array AEG Ultra Loop RX)
 
Equipment is private property of F6KOP except one ACOM 500s ( PRO-SIC ) and two ACOM 1200s ( ACOM )....

QSL INFO:
All donors via ClubLog with a minimum of 7 USDs/EUROs will be published on their sponsors page and will be able to request their direct QSL for free via OQRS.

LoTW(Logbook of The World)
LoTW upload will be done and FREE for everyone shortly after the DXpedition (as soon as the log is corrected).

OQRS (Online QSL Request System)
They don't need your QSL card, so please use first OQRS on ClubLog for FP5KE direct and buro requests. OQRS will be opened shortly after the DXpedition (as soon as the log is corrected). The asking price for direct QSLs is 4 USDs/EUROs for an unlimited number of QSOs. You can also help saving Buro costs when using OQRS for buro as this service will be free for you.

Direct QSL
They do NOT accept IRCs. Please cash only (USDs or EUROs) without coins.
When requesting paper cards with a letter, please enclose 3 USDs or EUROs and a labeled return envelope (SAE). Please send your Direct QSL request (unlimited number of QSOs) to their QSL manager: 

   Christian BERNARD, F5GSJ
   19, avenue Hoche
   77330 OZOIR LA FERRIERE
   FRANCE

QSL via Bureau
If you don't want to use OQRS, it will take longer but you can also send your QSL card via buro to their QSL manager: F5GSJ.

QSL policy
  * QSL cards will be printed within 6 weeks after our return.
  * Please don't forget to clear up mistakes in the log after DXpedition     to (fp5ke2025@gmail.com).
  * OQRS-Direct and Direct-Cards will be processed first.
  * Busted call requests will be processed after.
  * Buro and OQRS-Buro will be processed at the end.
  * QSL requests with insufficient return postage will be answered via the office.
  * We do not use eQSL service.

Update March 2, 2025: Preparations for our F6KOP 2025 expedition to Ile aux Marins (Saint-Pierre & Miquelon archipelago) are progressing well. FP5KE team is complete and will be made of 16 experienced operators as well as FP5AC for the important stewardship part as we will have to be autonomous. We are finaly planning 8 HF and 6m stations and 2 EME stations (2m and 23cm) and up to twenty antennas. Everything will be powered by generator(s). Further information such as dates, list of operators and our website will be communicated later.

After the success of our 9L5A DXpedition in 2024, F6KOP Radioclub of Provins has chosen for 2025 to go to Saint-Pierre & Miquelon (Ile aux Marins).

Although FP is sometimes active there has never been such a big expedition like we organize. We will be 16 operators with at least 7 active stations from 160 to 6m on all modes and probably on 2m EME. Callsign FP5KE will be used for a minimum of 10 days of traffic. Faithful to our principles the "human" modes CW, SSB and RTTY will be favored without abandoning FT8 and FT4.

QSL via F5GSJ.

Additional information such as dates and website will be communicated later