TX9A – Austral Islands DXpedition (OC-152)

April 25 – May 7, 2025
Team: 9A2NA, 9A3MR, 9A7Y, 9A4WY, DK8ZZ/YT3ZZ, 9A9R

The TX9A team has been active from Tubuai Island, Austral Islands (OC-152), since April 25, racking up over 25,000 QSOs as of early May. The DXpedition has seen exciting propagation events, particularly on 50 MHz, with impressive openings to Japan, Central America, and the USA, even via SSB. The team emphasized 160m and 80m operations, including near-daily manual uploads for low-band QSOs due to livestream limitations.

Operational Highlights:

• May 4–5: Final two days of activity. Focus shifted back to 80m, with excursions on 40m SSB for NA/JA. A strong 50 MHz CW/SSB opening to Japan occurred just before teardown begins.

• May 1–3: Successful sessions on 160m yielded nearly 500 QSOs. Europe remained the top priority. Conditions on 12/10m remained poor for EU, but activity continued regardless.

• April 28–30: The 80/160m vertical went live. QSOs were manually uploaded daily, especially for FT8 on 80/60m. High QRN from expected rain was a concern. Despite occasional duplication issues due to livestream upload glitches, logs remained solid.

• April 25–27: Activity began with heavy rain and wind delaying antenna setup. The first QSOs came in on 10, 15, and 40m CW, quickly surpassing 4,500 contacts by day two. Key antennas included a Hexbeam, DK7ZB 3-el, and a 4-el 50 MHz beam.

Logistics and Equipment Support:

• High power and performance were ensured by ACOM 1200S & 500S amplifiers and 4O3A HP bandpass filters.

• Custom-made antenna bags, logistics support from non-HAM friends, and materials from companies like Koaxshop (Aircell 5 cable) were crucial.

• The team flew Paris–LAX–Tahiti–Tubuai and managed to transport all gear successfully, thanks to strategic pre-shipping and planning.

Final Days & Dismantling:

With departure set for Wednesday, May 7, antenna dismantling begins Tuesday afternoon, concluding an intense and rewarding two-week DXpedition. The Club Log Livestream remains active, but final log uploads and OQRS will commence post-expedition.

QSL via: DK8ZZ