• [UPDATE @ 1830Z] –

Vasily, R7AL just reported that all is mainly ok onboard yacht “Mariya”, however the seas are rough and all team members are currently not feeling too good. Average speed is 5-6 knots.

Their antenna works OK on 30m, but not on 20/17/15. They’ll try to fix it later. Yesterday during the voyage they were QRV from grid KP69, today it’s KQ70. They are running FT8 but may do CW, just not yet. 

At 1230z today, the map shows their location in relation to FJL (circled). Picture of Vasily in his bunk riding out the seas!

  • [AUGUST 12 @ 0900Z] – 

On time, the team departed for Franz Josef Land. Of interest for grid chasers, a few hours later, they started activity from aboard their yacht as RI1FJL/MM (on 30m FT8).

 — Picture courtesy of Vasily, R7AL.

  • [AUGUST 11] –

There had been another delay due to cross-border formalities, however the departure is finally scheduled for Wednesday at 6am local Moscow time.

  • [AUGUST 7] –

The complete team has been in Murmansk for the past two days. We’re collecting our cargo and food to be ready for departure. Two days were lost thanks to a huge cyclone in the Barents Sea, and we are expecting our yacht to arrive tomorrow. We hope to leave Murmansk on August 9th.

  • [JULY 17] – 

According to the forecast ice conditions, and logistical / bureaucratic issues, our skipper insisted on a change of dates for RI1FJL DXpedition. New departure date is 7th of August. We expect to arrive on the island on August 15th.

We have finally received written permission from the Polar Observatory management. They allowed us to stay on their base and use all the facilities, including electricity. It costs another 6000$.

Our Dxpedition cargo is in Murmansk already. It’s 500kg of equipment. Another 300kg will be delivered with the team-members, excluding personal belongings.

Food and drinking water for the entire 30+ day long voyage will be purchased just before departure.

A huge Thanks to all Clubs, Foundations and Individual Donors who already supported our DXpedition. RI1FJL team really appreciate your Support! We raised $8000 so far which is a really awesome help for us! At the same time, our budget deficit is still very significant.

So, fingers crossed for good weather and favorable winds during our sailing to the FJL!

Stay tuned for more news on DX-World – official trusted media outlet for the RI1FJL DXpedition.

Yacht “Maria” will sail the team to FJL. (stock image)

RI1FJL WEBSITE

  • [APRIL 8] by Vasily, R7AL.

I recently received a written response from the Northern Administration of Hydrometeorology and Environmental Monitoring agreeing to accommodate expedition participants at the E.T. Krenkel meteorological station on Heiss Island. This is a major milestone in expedition preparations! Accommodation will be provided on a commercial basis.

There’s also a change in the team. Alexander, R2DVE had to withdraw from the expedition. His place has been taken by Ruslan, UA4Z whom is one of Russia’s leading contesters and will undoubtedly strengthen the team.

A huge thank you to everyone who has already supported the expedition with their donations!

  • [FEBRUARY 24] –

First of all, thank you very much for your donations for the RI1FJL DXpedition to Frans Josef Land. We really appreciate your support!

Sadly, our PayPal button for donations had the wrong settings (it was set as the button for sellers but not as a Donate button). This means your donations are “pending” and will be returned (if not already returned) to your account finally after 30 days.

We are really sorry for this inconvenience! Now we placed our old proven button to the website which 100% works OK for donations.

So if you will get your donation back, can you please resend it using new button on the website.

Thank you very much in advance!

RI1FJL WEBSITE

  • [FEBRUARY 16] –

Today we passed first important milestone of our upcoming RI1FJL dxpedition, which is scheduled for late August – early September 2026.

We paid the first $20000 for the vessel and signed the contract with the skipper. So it’s no way back for sure -))

However, we are still waiting for the permission to stay on the Polar Observatory facilities, but confident we’ll get it soon.

A big thanks to all Clubs, Foundations and Individual Donors who already supported our DXpedition. RI1FJL team really appreciate your Support!

We raised 3000$ so far but the budget deficit remains large. We kindly invite you to support our effort! (Website at bottom).

Slav, OK8AU on right with skipper of yacht.

Yacht “Maria” will sail the team to FJL.

  • [JANUARY 20] –

After two years of planning the RUDXT are proud to announce a DXpedition to the nothern-most DXCC in the world – Franz Josef Land.

Team of 6 operators will be active from Heiss island (FJL) during 15 days in late August-early September 2026.

FJL is difficult and expensive to activate and the budget is close to $80,000 – quite a prohibited cost for RUDXT’s small team. To do this trip they really depend on support from the DX-community!

RI1FJL WEBSITE