Sunday, November 8, 2026

20261108 Nov DXpeditions..

20261108 Nov DX peditions.. 


Hello everyone, this is Mako, JJ5IZX.
We haven't achieved any major results since the electrical work was completed, but for now, I'm actively chasing any DX stations I can hear (or see on the waterfall).

The other day, IZY managed to work 5R8IC (Madagascar). 
Following her lead, I also managed to log them on 40m FT8. Normally, it would have been an easy QSO, but the pileup was intense, making the operating conditions far from ideal. 
Still, I'm glad I could finally bag them.



On the other hand, what has IZY been up to? 

Maybe it's the reward for her rare early morning session (lol), 

but she successfully worked 7X2RF (Algeria).


7X2RF Algeria flag Algeria

Bachir Taleb
Hai el annassers - Bt 809 sous sol Kouba
Algiers 16052
Algeria

QSL: EA7FTR

Email: Use mouse to view..

Ham Member Lookups: 172786

 
Primary Image for 7X2RF




Now, here is a highlight from our recent operations.

<WALLIS & FUTUNA ISLANDS>
FW3GT Wallis and Futuna Islands flag Wallis and Futuna Islands

Gavin GM3GAV
31/10/2026 - 13/11/2026
Futuna OC-118
Wallis and Futuna Islands

QSL: via M0OXO

Page managed by GM3GAV Lookups: 86234

 
    Primary Image for FW3GT

    Yesterday evening, FW3GT was on 10m CW. 

    IZY challenged them first and successfully completed the QSO!

    However, the exact moment I (IZX) started transmitting, they started calling "CQ FW3GT UP EU EU" targeting only Europe. 

    The attached image shows exactly what happened then.


    After that, EU stations worked them one after another, leaving me with no choice but to back off and wait for the next opportunity.

    I have summarized our track record for this DXpedition in a table below.


    Looking at this, you can probably see the capabilities and tendencies of our station. 
    We seem to be a bit weak on the low bands (though timing plays a big part too).
    Since we often get buried in CW pileups, our operation has become mostly focused on FT8.
    By the way, IZY has now become a completely "silent" operator who never uses phone (lol).

    • She used to do 2m FM and EchoLink back in the day, but it didn't seem to suit her taste.
    • She does operate CW, but since her transmitting speed is tied to her receiving speed, her response tends to be on the slower side.
    • Once, she tried PC keying for a faster exchange, but ended up in a situation where she couldn't copy the lightning-fast callback from the other end...
      Because of this, she now always operates using a decoding app alongside recording the QSO audio.

    This autumn is packed with attractive DXpeditions.

    Most recently, I was trying to work 9X5KM (Rwanda) on 30m FT8.

    9X5KM Rwanda flag Rwanda

    ALAIN "Al" ESQUIROL

    KIGALI
    Rwanda

    QSL: LOTW , Direct , Buro .

    Email: Use mouse to view..

    Page managed by F8FUA Lookups: 124093

     
      Primary Image for 9X5KM


      Unfortunately, the pileup was absolute chaos, and I had to retreat this time (maybe I should have persisted a little longer).


      Since I had a work shift scheduled today, I went QRT at 22:00 UTC.


      Oh... last news!!

      We got E51WL(North cook Is.) ...on 12m FT4!!  Many thanks Warwick san 73 : ) 

      E51WL North Cook Islands flag North Cook Islands

      Warwick Latham
      Penrhyn Atoll
      COOK ISLANDS
      North Cook Islands

      QSL: 164mack@gmail.com

      Email: Use mouse to view..

      Ham Member Lookups: 366727

       
      Primary Image for E51WL

      Thursday, November 5, 2026

      20261105 Reboot IZX`s station.

      20261105 Reboot IZX`s station.


      Hi everyone, this is Mako, JJ5IZX!
      Well, the first half of the autumn DX season is over, and we are now heading into the second half!
      As I mentioned the other day, our QRT for about 10 days really took a toll, and we missed out on several big DXpeditions... It is such a shame! (S9R, C5R, 3DA0GY, etc...) This was especially a huge blow for IZY.
      But here is some good news!
      On November 3rd, the power company successfully completed the rewiring work. Since that day, we have safely resumed operations while keeping an eye on how things go.
      I am pretty confident that the external noise has dropped significantly! I was thrilled to successfully manage some low-level DXing on 40m FT8.
      By the way, as you can see in the attached screenshot, IZY snagged 5R8IC (her very first Madagascar!).
      She also caught 6W (her very first Senegal!).
      皆さんこんにちは、JJ5IZX Makoです!
      さて、秋のDXシーズンも前半戦が終了して、いよいよ後半戦へと突入ですね。
      先日からお話ししていた通り、10日あまりのQRT(運用休止)がたたり、大きなペディションをいくつも逃してしまいました……。本当に残念でなりません(S9R、C5R、3DA0GYなどなど)。特にIZYにとっては大打撃です(涙)。
      でも、うれしいニュースも!
      11月3日に電力会社による架線張替工事が無事に終了し、同日から様子を見ながら運用を再開しています。
      実際のところ、外来ノイズはかなり減っていると確信しています! 40mのFT8で、ローレベルのDXingに成功したのは非常にうれしい収穫でした。
      ちなみに、添付画像の通りIZYが5R8ICをゲット(初めてのマダガスカル!)。
      さらにIZYは6W(初めてのセネガル!)もゲットしています。

      5R8IC Madagascar flag Madagascar

      Eric ADNIN
      Sainte-Marie Island ( QSL via F6ICX )
      IOTA: AF-090
      Madagascar

      QSL: LOTW AND BUREAU REF VIA F6ICX OR DIRECT QSL

      Email: f6icx77@gmail.com

      Page managed by F6ICX Lookups: 612385

       
        Primary Image for 5R8IC



        IK2HKT Italy flag Italy

        Stefano Casari
        8 Provinciale Street
        Albino, BG 24021
        Italy

        QSL: Via Bureau

        Email: Use mouse to view..

        Ham Member Lookups: 840993

         
          Primary Image for IK2HKT


          6W / IK2HKT 

          Senegal dxpedition during October / November 2026 

           

          ⚠️ IMPORTANT NOTE FOR LOGGING & DECODING in FT8 mode - 6W/IK2HKT

          Please read this brief guide if you see strange characters or <...> when decoding my signal.

          • The Problem: Due to the length and structure of my callsign (6W/IK2HKT), some software (like older versions of WSJT-X or JTDX) might display it inside brackets as <...> or truncate it during digital transmissions.

          • Recommended Software: For the best decoding experience and to avoid any issues with compound callsigns, I highly recommend using MSHV (version 2.76 or newer) or the latest updated versions of your preferred FT8 software.

          • Fox & Multi-Slot Operation: When I operate in Multi-Slot (Fox) mode, please ensure your software is correctly configured for Hound mode. 

          • How to Log Me: Please ensure your logging software records my full and correct callsign: 6W/IK2HKT.

          • Do Not Edit Manually: If your software automatically decodes the full callsign after a few sequences, let it process naturally. Do not log the literal brackets <...>.




          Our current issue is the antenna wire, which is getting quite worn out.

          It’s been there for over 10 years (though it’s only been active for about 4 years total).

          I am thinking this might be the perfect opportunity to review the terminals and rigging methods, and just replace the whole wire. A 20-meter comms wire should only cost around 3,000 yen, right? (lol)


          現在の問題は、かなりくたびれてきた空中線(アンテナ線)です。

          もう10数年使っていて、実働ベースでも4年くらいでしょうか?

          この際、端子や架線方法なども見直して思い切って張り替えてみようかと検討中です。20mの通信線なら3000円くらいで済むかな?(笑)


          Sunday, November 1, 2026

          20261101 This month DX`s news

          20261101 This month DX`s news







          Hi everyone, this is JJ5IZX Mako!
          Yesterday was Halloween—and also my birthday!
          I received so many heartwarming wishes from dear friends all around the world. Thank you all so much! It looks like I can keep pushing forward with my DXing for a while longer (haha).
          Since October 20th, autumn has really set in here in the Northern Hemisphere. With so many DXpeditions taking place, every band has been absolutely buzzing! However, over the last few days, the high bands seem to be underperforming a bit.
          As for my station (just a modest little setup, unfortunately), operations have been pretty much at a standstill since October 23rd.
          The culprit is a power supply issue—specifically around the drop wire from the utility pole. It’s causing an increase in noise and messing with my SWR during transmissions.
          Fortunately, some major electrical work (replacing the overhead lines) is scheduled around my house in the coming days.
          There are definitely some DXpeditions I really don't want to miss, but you can't fight physical obstacles, so I'm currently QRT.
          But hey, no use crying over missed QSOs!
          Now that November is here, there are plenty more DXpeditions lined up for this month. Which ones are you targeting?



          皆さん、こんにちは!JJ5IZX Makoです。
          昨日はハロウィン、そして私の誕生日でした!
          世界中の親愛なる友人たちから、たくさんの心温まるお祝いメッセージをいただきました。本当にありがとうございます!
            
          おかげさまで、まだまだしばらくはDXingを頑張れそうです(笑)。
          さて、10月20日以降は北半球の秋も深まり、各地でペディションが多数実施されて各バンド大賑わいでしたね。ただ、ここ数日はハイバンドが今ひとつの様子……。
          ちなみに我が家(弱小局-泣)は、10月23日以降ほぼストップしています。
          原因は電源系(電柱からの引き込み線周り)のトラブル。
           
          ノイズが増えただけでなく、送信中にSWRが悪化するという状態なんです。
          近日中に我が家周辺で大掛かりな電気工事(架線取替)が予定されています。
          どうしても落としたいペディションもあるのですが、物理的な障害には勝てず、現在はQRT中です。
          とはいえ、逃してしまったものを悔やんでばかりもいられません!

           

          11月に入りました。
          今月もペディションが目白押しですネ。 
          皆さんはどこをターゲットにしていますか?

          Saturday, October 31, 2026

          20261031 Have a good-day!!(Halloween)

           20261031 Have a good-day!!(Halloween)




          &




          JJ5IZX Mako`s birthday.... 64 years old!!(at This morning)





          Hello everyone, this is JJ5IZX Mako!
          Today is Halloween! 🎃
          And actually... it’s also my 64th birthday! (lol)
          A few years ago, I fell seriously ill, but thanks to all of your wonderful support and encouragement, I am doing great and feeling full of energy today! 
          Thank you so much.
          I look forward to catching you again on the air or somewhere in person.

           

          Very Best 73!




          皆さん こんにちは、JJ5IZX Mako です。
          本日はハロウィンですね!🎃
          そして実は……私の64回目の誕生日でもあります(笑)。
          数年前に重病を患い大変な時期もありましたが、皆様の温かい応援のおかげで、
          今日もこうして元気に過ごしています。
          本当にありがとうございます!
          また空の上(オンエア)か、どこかの会場でお会いしましょう。

          Very Best 73!


          Sunday, October 18, 2026

          20261018 S9R(Sao Tome & Principe) !!

           20261018 S9R(Sao Tome & Principe) !!



          S9R Sao Tome & Principe flag Sao Tome & Principe

          Dxpedition .
          .
          Sao Tome & Principe
          Sao Tome & Principe

          QSL: VIA EA7FTR

          Page managed by CT7AKS Lookups: 47296

           
            Primary Image for S9R

            S9R Logo

            DXPedition – São Tomé e Príncipe




            Many Thanks pick-up!!  I got New one : )

            But I think so ..  IZY is difficult it.

            This morning try to them on 40m band ... result...fail  : (

            Their signals are easy to detect.

            But our signals cannot reach them...when they are receiving calls from all over the world.

            I got one.... still more?.. muuu

            We would like to successfully complete QSOs on several bands.

            Saturday, October 17, 2026

            20261017 Received eQSL ( =JJ5IZY)

             20261017 Received eQSL ( =JJ5IZY)

            JJ5IZY(RIKA)に届いた素敵な電子QSLカードをご紹介!


            こんにちは!JJ5IZXです。
            いつもブログに遊びに来ていただき、ありがとうございます。
            秋の夜長、みなさんは無線ライフをいかがお過ごしでしょうか?DX(遠距離通信)のコンディションも日々変化して楽しい季節ですね。
            さて、本日のブログは恒例の特集企画!私のXYL(奥様)でもあるJJ5IZY(RIKA)の元に届いた、世界からの素敵なeQSL(電子QSLカード)をご紹介したいと思います。ペーパーカードとはまた一味違った、各局のこだわりが詰まったデザインをぜひお楽しみください。
            まず最初にご紹介するのは、南太平洋の美しい島からの1枚です!



            V61GSE Micronesia flag Micronesia

            Takeo Takahata

            Weno Island, Chuuk
            Micronesia

            QSL: LoTW, eQSL,OQRS

            Page managed by JR1GSE Lookups: 18495

             

              1. V61GSE(Micronesia)
              下図のように6枚のeQSLが到着しました。本当にありがとうございます。
              先日「New one」とご紹介した途端のeQSLとLoTW承認でした。帰国後すぐに処理されたのだと思います。すべてFT8のみの交信でしたが、QSOしたバンドはすべてCFM(交信証明)できました。
              どちらのバンドでも信号強度は強かったのですが、相当数のJA(日本)局が殺到し、まさに「カオス」状態。その中でも幸運なことに、お目当てのバンドでのQSOからCFMまで一気に達成できたのは非常にラッキーでした。
              RIKAの実運用時間は短く、実質今年の3月からの運用(IZXとリグを共用)のため、意外な未QSO地域が多数あります。特にアジア内でもまだ多くの地域を残している中、今回のケースは本当に幸運でした。Mr. Takahataには心から感謝しております。



              We received 6 eQSLs as shown below. Thank you very much!
              Right after I mentioned them as a "New One" on my blog recently, the eQSL and LoTW confirmations came through. I believe the operator processed them immediately after returning home. Although all contacts were made via FT8, we successfully confirmed (CFM) all the bands we worked.
              Their signals were very strong on every band, but a huge number of JA (Japan) stations were rushing to call them—it was absolute "chaos." In the midst of that, we were incredibly lucky to achieve both the QSO and CFM on our desired bands all at once.
              RIKA’s actual operating time has been short, as she only started back in March of this year (sharing the rig with me). Because of this, she still has many unworked DXCC entities, including many within Asia. This successful confirmation was a real stroke of good luck for her. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to Mr. Takahata.





              2. EA6UE(Balearic Islands)
              こちらも最近になってQSOができました!
              同じスペインの中でも、ここバレアレス諸島は別カントリー(エンティティ)として存在しているため、かなり需要が高いんですよね。
              問題は、普段QRV(運用)しているバンドが20mや30mに多く、RIKAのメインバンドである17mではあまり見かけないことでした。しかし、今回はなんと12mでのQSOですので、かなりレアだと思います。
              RIKAが横で「またどこかのバンドでお願いします!」と呟いています(笑)。



              EA6UE Balearic Islands flag Balearic Islands

              Chema "Bingo Bravo" Alvarez
              P.Box 50185 AP
              Palma de Mallorca. Balearic Islands 07611
              Spain

              QSL: QRZ.com, eQSL, LoTW , ClubLog, HamLog, GDURE and direct

              Email: Use mouse to view..

              QRZ Lifetime Member #9 Lookups: 74310


              Primary Image for EA6UE


              We also managed to work this station recently!
              Even though it is part of Spain, the Balearic Islands count as a separate DXCC entity, so the demand for them is always quite high.
              The challenge was that they usually QRV on 20m or 30m, and we rarely saw them on 17m, which is RIKA's main band. However, this time we worked them on 12m, making it a very rare and precious catch!
              RIKA is whispering next to me, "I hope to work you again on another band!" (haha).





              3. KP4RGC(Puerto Rico)

              こうして見ると、12mバンドはかなり有用なのかもしれません。
              RIKAがスムーズにQSOできるということは、思ったほど競争相手がいないのでしょうか?バンドによって伝搬特性が異なるのはもちろんですが、そもそも運用している局自体が少ないという印象もありますね。(昨年の今頃はW(米国)が非常に多く見えていたのですが……)


              KP4RGC Puerto Rico flag Puerto Rico

              JUAN A BERRIOS
              Rio Grande Ham Radio Club
              Jardines De Rio BL 641 Calle 58
              Rio Grande, PR 00745
              USA

              Email: Use mouse to view..

              Ham Member Lookups: 20950

               
              Primary Image for KP4RGC


              Looking at this, the 12m band might actually be very useful.
              The fact that RIKA could make the QSO so smoothly makes me wonder if there wasn't as much competition as expected. While it is understandable that propagation characteristics vary by band, it also feels like there simply aren't that many stations operating on 12m. (Around this time last year, we used to see a lot of W (USA) stations on this band, though...)




              4. SV9BMG(Crete)
              私たちJAから見ると、クレタ島といえば歴史(ミノア文明)とギリシャ神話の島。やはり観光地として有名ですよね。
              今回はRIKAにしては珍しい時間帯でのQSOでした(日本時間の午前1時過ぎ)。こちらは15mバンドなので、伝搬が安定していたのでしょうか。早起きしたり夜更かししたり、アマチュア無線って実は結構不健康な趣味かもしれません(笑)。


              SV9BMG Crete flag Crete

              STELIOS FANOURAKIS
              DEDALOU 32
              IERAPETRA-CRETE ISL. 72200
              Greece

              QSL: PSE READ QSL INFO

              Email: Use mouse to view..

              Ham Member Lookups: 178187

               
              Primary Image for SV9BMG


              From a JA perspective, Crete strongly brings to mind history (the Minoan civilization) and Greek mythology. It is very famous as a beautiful tourist destination.
              This was a QSO at a very unusual time for RIKA (just past 1:00 AM Japan Time). Since this was on the 15m band, perhaps the propagation was exceptionally stable. Waking up early or staying up late like this... amateur radio might actually be a bit of an unhealthy hobby! (haha).
















              最後に
              今回は直近でeQSLをいただいた局をご紹介しました。
              実際には、他にも本当に多数の各局からQSLをいただいております。すべてをご紹介することは難しいですが、これからも時折こうしてピックアップしてご紹介したいと思います。
              それでは、各局、Good Luck DX!!
              73 & 88

              Today, I introduced the stations from whom we recently received eQSLs.
              In reality, we have received QSL cards from many other stations as well. While it is difficult to introduce all of them, I would love to pick out a few and showcase them like this from time to time.
              Wishing you all good DX and great conditions!
              73 & 88