A DXpedition is an expedition for the purpose of communicating long distances with amateur radio (often called DX). The idea of such an adventure is at least 60 years old dating back to the Kon Tiki, the raft used by Norwegian explorer and writer Thor Heyerdahl in his 1947 expedition across the Pacific ocean from South America to Polynesia. That simple QRP transmitter helped the crew keep in contact with civilization throughout their 101 day voyage.
Danny Weil (VP2VB), inspired by the Kon Tiki adventure, was one of the DXpeditioning pioneers making contact with over 100,000 hams around the world on his various trips in his boats YASME and YASME II. The YASME Foundation now assists DXers and DXpeditioners alike by funding scientific and educational projects relating to amateur radio.
Since Danny Weil’s time there have been significant advances in technology and DXpeditioning strategies. The “one man in a boat” has been replaced by cargo containers filled with radios, antennas, computers, coax, and many tons of other equipment. DXpedition teams of 10 to 30 operators are not uncommon. While this has been a boon to those looking for a contact from remote places like Peter I, South Sandwich Island, or Kerguelen, the enormous price-tag associated with such endeavors put it out of reach for all but the most affluent or famous.
The 100 Pound DXpedition is my answer to this situation. It is a return to basics. The idea is this: with just 100 pounds of equipment, one should be able to set up on some far away place and operate a DXpedition. This weight limit imposes an upper-bound on what can be done.
For example, some of the larger DXpeditions try to separate antennas by 1000 or 1200 feet. The weight of 1000 foot of RG-213 coax is 104 pounds—four pounds over the limit for all equipment on a 100 Pound DXpedition!
As artists sometimes say, “Form is freeing.” That is to say that limits help bring focus and illuminate possibilities. With such draconian weight limits you cannot be tempted to bring the big amplifier, tower sections, or huge antennas. Instead, you can begin to research compromises and trade-offs, see what works and what does not, and determine for yourself what is key, what is extra, what is signal and what is noise. In a permanent station you might fight for every dB. But, when every pound counts, do you trade 2 dB for 12 extra pounds? These thinking processes are at the very heart of a 100 Pound DXpedition.
Finally, with these limits come rewards. Traveling so light means you and your portable station are just a plane ride away from very interesting places. The 100 pound limit fits within many airline guidelines so a DXpedition can be done by packing, checking your bags, and finding your seat. There are no cargo containers. There are no tedious logistics and freight plans. You can just go, unpack, set up, and have fun. The remainder of this white paper discusses the antenna aspects of a 100 Pound DXpedition. Again, we are not looking for the biggest and best; we are looking for the best “bang for our buck” and best “power per pound.” Welcome to lightweight DXpeditioning.