With propagation on the improve, more and more thought by DA-RC members is sure to be put into possible DXpedition locations – knowing that efforts to activate that elusive DX entity will be well and truly worth it in terms of progressive numbers issued and contacts in the log.
One of the burning questions on the end of all members’ lips, however, is, “Which DXCC, or which island, do I choose? If I do choose to recruit DA-RC members for a DX excursion, which DXCC or IOTA would be the most attractive to fellow members and the DX Community abroad?” Clearly, it’s a valid consideration given the enormous amount of islands, lighthouses, castles, windmills and DXCC available to the roving DX’er…
Obviously, a DXpedition to a DXCC or IOTA that has never been heard before is much more exciting to DA-RC members than one which has appeared on the band previously – even one which is already known to house one or two 11m DX’ers. After all, knowing that you have played a part in 11m DX history and made a major contribution to the hobby is something that can never be taken away from you!
It goes without saying that a DXpedition to an extremely rare DXCC or IOTA is also more attractive to the DX chaser also. Some operators around the world are so eager to work rare DXCC, for example, that they are prepared to sponsor or part sponsor DXpedition parties, not to mention QSL cards. The Dx Adventure Radio Club also has systems in place for members to promote and encourage DXpedition work to rare DX entities.
The only problem is that DXCC that have not been active before are usually so remote or isolated from the rest of the world that they present a huge financial and time challenge to DXers to get there. Apart from seclusion, some DXCC have also not been initiates due to the dangers of operating radio equipment in that particular country. Some communist countries, such as North Korea for instance, would likely ‘shoot to kill’ any individuals undertaking radio communications, fearing they were spies sharing secrets on nuclear infrastructure or planning a military coupe. Pirates, cannibals, terrorism and/ or guerrilla warfare activities are all genuine concerns in some potential DX locations that would understandably discourage one from travelling to DX hot spots – no matter HOW MUCH of a hero you would be crowned for going there. Risking one’s life for the purpose of activating a rare DXCC, after all, is something not many of us would do. (Okay, maybe DA-RC members would!)
So which DXCC are considered to be the ‘Most Wanted’ in the 11m DX Community? Which DXCC have never been officially active on the 11m band before? According to our records, only 26 of a possible 346 DXCC remain unconquered by 11m DXers. So obviously, each one of these elusive DX entities represents a ‘pot of gold’ to the DXCC hungry DXer; hobbyists that would give their right arm to work and confirm it by way of a beautiful glossy QSL card.
The following list of DXCC yet to be officially activated on 11m has been put together by the DA-RC Team in the hope that it might kick start some DX adventure plans by members…
Wherever you go is going to be expensive, if not impossible to access.EG Johnston Atoll DIV 262 is an American military outpost where civilians may not be able to visit. DIV 229 is only accessable by supply vessel or ships going south from Europe to the pole. My contact with the weather station there was on 29-2-12. Re 270 DIV Minami-tori-shima Island. I made contact with 281DIV Ogasawara Island, close by, with 281SD/AS031 on 2-11-2003. I think it was part of an activation at the time. My thoughts would be Midway Atoll or Wake Island to get maximum contacts, but you would have to get pledges of financial support prior to undertaking such a venture. I, as I am sure many others, would contribute greatly for such a rare location.