With propagation on the improve and the next long-awaited 11m cycle dawning, more and more thought is sure to be put into possible DXpedition locations — knowing that efforts to activate that elusive DXCC or IOTA will be well and truly worth it in terms of progressive numbers issued and contacts in the log. One of the burning questions on the end of all potential DXpeditioner’s lips, however, is, “Which DXCC, or which island, do I choose? If I do decide to get a group of mates together for a boys’ trip away, which DXCC or IOTA would be the most attractive to my DX’er mates abroad?” Clearly, it’s a valid consideration given the enormous amount of islands, lighthouses, castles, windmills and DXCC available to the roving DX’er…

Obviously, a DXpedition to a DXCC or IOTA that has never been heard before is much more exciting to the travelling DX’ers than one which has appeared on the band previously — even one which is already known to house one or two 11m DX’ers. Knowing that you have played a part in 11m DX history and made a major contribution to the hobby is something that can never be taken away from you!

It goes without saying that a DX-pedition to an extremely rare DXCC or IOTA is also more attractive to the DX chaser also. Some operators around the world are so eager to work rare DXCC’s, for example, that they are prepared to sponsor or part sponsor DX-pedition parties, not to mention QSL cards.

The only problem is that DXCC’s that have not been active before are usually so remote or isolated from the rest of the world that they present a huge financial and time challenge to DX’ers to get there. As stated before on this site, enquiries into a possible DX-pedition to a small far-flung atoll in the Pacific Ocean by a couple of notorious Sugar Delta members in 43 Division brought quotes of upwards of AUS $12,000 from travel agencies — not to mention a couple of weeks sailing on a chartered yacht to and from the Island. It’s no wonder the guys baulked at going when $12,000 is a healthy deposit on a new house!

Apart from seclusion, some DXCC’s have also not been initiates due to the dangers of operating radio equipment in that particular country. Some communist countries, such as North Korea for instance, would likely ‘shoot to kill’ any individuals undertaking radio communications, fearing they were spies sharing secrets on nuclear infrastructure or planning a military coupe. Pirates, cannibals, terrorism and/ or guerrilla warfare activities are ALLLLLL genuine concerns in some potential DX locations that would understandably discourage one from travelling to DX hot spots — no matter HOW MUCH of a hero you would be crowned for going there. Risking one’s life for the purpose of activating a rare DXCC, after all, is something not many of us would do. (Okay, maybe a few of us!)

So which DXCC are considered to be the ‘Most Wanted’? Which DXCC have never been officially active on the 11m band before??? According to our records, only 27 of a possible 343 DXCC’s remain unconquered by 11m DX’ers. So obviously, each one of these elusive DX entities represents a ‘pot of gold’ to the DXCC hungry DX’er. Guys that would give their right arm to work and confirm it by way of a beautiful glossy QSL card.

Given the hard time 43 Division operators collectively have copped on this site for their limited contributions to the DX world (And rightly so), the following list of DXCC’s, NEVER been officially activated on 11m, has been put together by the team at ‘11m DX Activities OZ’ in the hope that it might kick start some DX adventure plans by Oz operators.

071 MIDWAY IS.
222 SOUTH SANDWICH IS.
229 HEARD IS.
231 ST. PETER & ST. PAUL
243 AGALEGA & ST. BRANDO
247 NAVASSA IS.
258 TRISTAN DA CUNHA & G
260 BAKER & HOWLAND IS.
262 JOHNSTON IS.
263 KERMADEC IS.
264 KINGMAN REEF
267 KURE IS.
269 MELLISH REEF
270 MINAMI-TORI-SHIMA IS
273 JARVIS & PALMYRA IS.
277 SABLE IS.
278 WAKE IS.
282 AUCKLAND & CAMPBELL
287 MALPELO IS.
294 PETER 1ST IS.
296 CLIPPERTON IS.
297 BOUVET IS.
321 CONWAY REEF
334 NORTH KOREA
335 SCARBOROUGH REEF
336 PRATAS IS.
343 DUCIE IS.

* Note: If you think we have missed one, or listed a DXCC that has in fact been active in the last few years, please let us know by posting comments! Your assistance as always is greatly appreciated.

In keeping with our objectives of promoting DX sports and acting as a point of contact for potential DX-pedition team members, ‘11m DX Activities Oz’ invites any operators considering an activation of ANY kind to post their intentions on this site. With any luck, a team can be organised and one of the elusive DXCC lusted by DX’ers abroad can be liberated

Anyone for some Clipperton Island DX’ing? Anyone?

73 de Admin