“…Beneath the broader /DX suffix that accompanies the 242DA callsign, the Dx Adventure Radio Club (DA-RC) is proud to spotlight an exciting opportunity to confirm one of Southeast Asia’s most sought-after IOTA spots—Phu Quoc (AS-128).”
Rather than a 242-mainland operation, the offshore location of Phu Quoc is a choice setting indeed for 153DA102 Lars’ exciting activation of Vietnam which appears on the DX Calendar for April 2026.
Located in the far southwest of 242 Division, this spectacular island sits in the tropical waters of the Gulf of Thailand, just off the coast of Cambodia (238) and roughly 45 km west of the Vietnamese mainland city of Ha Tien…
In accordance with the World IOTA Program, Phu Quoc Island fits within the Gulf of Thailand IOTA group (AS-128), a cluster of nine islands also listed in the Islands Base Online (IBO)…
As Vietnam’s largest island, Phu Quoc stretches roughly 50 km from north to south and is known for its rugged interior, dense tropical forests, and pristine coastline.
Its relative isolation from the mainland, combined with minimal RF noise in many areas, offers excellent conditions for long-distance propagation, particularly into EU, OC, and the Americas.
At the helm of this IOTA adventure is 153DA102 Lars, travelling from his home QTH in the Kingdom of Thailand…
This guy is no stranger to the global DX community; in fact, his name is synonymous with serious 11m band DXpedition projects, built on over three decades of consistent, high-level activity from rare and desirable locations.
Importantly, Lars also has previous operating experience from Phu Quoc Island.
This familiarity with local conditions, terrain, and propagation behavior will prove invaluable in optimizing performance and managing the expected pileups during this current DX operation.
Operating under the callsign 242DA/DX, Lars will deploy a proven and efficient portable setup…
His station will feature a homemade 1-element quad antenna, paired with the ever-reliable Icom IC-7000 transceiver, running 100 watts.
He’s also secured ham–friendly accommodation, allowing for optimal antenna placement and a clean operating environment which are key ingredients for maximizing contacts in the field.
For Island Chasers worldwide, this activation represents an exciting and highly rewarding challenge…
AS-128 is always in demand, and Phu Quoc’s status as a standout entity in the Gulf of Thailand group ensures strong pileups and intense global interest.
Timing, persistence, and sharp operating will be essential to securing this rare addition to the log.
Importantly, a successful contact with Lars on AS-128 could also place any DX hunter in line for one of the DA-RC’s prestigious DX Awards, recognizing achievement and commitment across rare and challenging DXpeditions.
[Full award details and eligibility criteria can be found at: https://www.delta-alfa.com/category/da-rc-awards/ ]
To commemorate this /DX come /IOTA activity, a magnificent QSL card will be available via 13DA016 Mike, providing a premium confirmation for stations lucky enough to make the contact.
See more info in the righthand side menu under DXpedition Activities!
Leave a Reply