AU2K – Kanika Island (AS-179NEW): A New DXpedition in December 2024

AU2K – Kanika Island (AS-179NEW): A New DXpedition in December 2024

In December 2024, a team of dedicated operators will be heading to Kanika Island (AS-179NEW), located in the Bay of Bengal, to activate it for the Islands on the Air (IOTA) program. The expedition, scheduled to take place from December 2-7, 2024, will be operating under the callsign AU2K. This will be a first-time activation of this new IOTA group (AS-179NEW), offering a rare opportunity for DXers to log a new island in the IOTA database.

Team Members and Operating Plans

The AU2K team will consist of Cezar (VE3LYC, VU3LPL), Sarath (VU2RS), Adi (VU3WEW), and Anil (VU3DXA), all of whom bring significant experience in HF operations. The team is well-prepared for the challenge, with a focus on making the most out of 6m (50 MHz) and HF band conditions.

The team will be operating with a simple inverted V antenna and 80w power to start, but they've already noted the strong propagation conditions they experienced early on 6m, which led them to switch to MSHV FT8 mode for more efficient operation. On 6m, they plan to use a 4-element yagi antenna, which will be installed at a height of 8 meters. This will help them work stations across the Asia-Pacific region and beyond.

Operating Bands and Modes

The AU2K team will be on CW, SSB, and FT8 modes, depending on the band and propagation conditions. FT8 will be actively used on 6m and HF, with two FT8 stations running concurrently—one on HF bands and another focused on 6m. Given the promising conditions the team has encountered so far, they are expecting to make a significant number of contacts, especially on 6m, where propagation has shown encouraging signs.

The Importance of Kanika Island

Kanika Island is part of a newly classified IOTA group (AS-179NEW), which means this activation presents an exciting opportunity for IOTA chasers looking to log a rare and valuable island. It will be the first time the island has been activated, and the team is eager to make as many contacts as possible with operators from around the world.

How to Work the AU2K Team

With their equipment tested and ready, the AU2K team is preparing for a high-energy activation. They have made significant efforts to ensure smooth operations and efficient logging, so expect the team to handle large pileups with experience. Make sure to follow the DX spots and check propagation conditions to increase your chances of logging a successful contact.

QSL Information

QSL details for the AU2K activation will be available through the expedition’s website. Operators are encouraged to check the website for any live updates and information about QSLing after the event.

For the most accurate and up-to-date information on the AU2K DXpedition, including operating frequencies and schedule, follow the DX-World site and stay tuned for any additional announcements as the team gets closer to their December activation.


This new IOTA activation promises to be an exciting opportunity for the global DX community, as the AU2K team prepares to put Kanika Island on the map as a newly activated IOTA island in AS-179.

Reading next

T46W – Cayo Santa Maria, NA-204: A Cuban DXpedition This December
Exciting DXpedition: Hannes OE1SGU to Operate as DU1OE from the Philippines

Leave a comment

All comments are moderated before being published.

This site is protected by hCaptcha and the hCaptcha Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.