To compare various Dxpeditions we should take into account similar phase of solar cycle, as much as possible – similar position in most wanted list and similar equipment and geographical location. It is almost impossible to have all factors equal. Nevertheless I will make some comparison of this year (2017) and previous (2016) efforts below.
Few of this DXpeditions had well known DXpeditioners in their crew:
If you are not Warren Buffett, Bill Gates, George Soros or similar person – money for dxpedition can be a problem. Besides that dxpeditioner gives his time, effort, sometimes health to please armchair DX hunter, he needs funds to buy tickets, rent boat/ship/plaine, buy equipment, food, etc.
There are few ways to compensate at least part of DXpedition expenses. From “pay to play” before all expedition starts to “wait until you see effect”. I am rather for the second one. It is a bit irritating to see all this mega dxpeditions asking for more and more money before they start expedition.
It is far fair to donate some money after you work dxpedition or after you see how they perform then pay before, just for promises. Also for me is strange that people gift foundations instead just donate directly expedition you like or appreciate. I do not understand why people give money to foundations – seems that they allow other people govern to whom give donation, who is nice, who is not… Probably sometimes is taxing system that prefers foundations but never the less I always like to evaluate where my money go.
Eric SM0AGD from AnnobonMy hart was always with one man Dxpeditions. From early stage of my HAM career I watched Eric SM0AGD, Jim VK9NS, Ron ZL1AMO efforts. Now their role took Vlad UA4WHX and Charles K0CW. When I started not only watching but also participating in expeditions, I made some one man DXpeditions too: SP9FIH/OA4, FO/SP9FIH, A35WE, 9N7WE.
From financial point of view one man DXpedition is much cheaper and efective then multi person effort. Compare 12 000 QSOs made by one operator in 14 days costing about 3000 $ to 60 000 QSOs made by 8-10 operators in the same time and spending more then 40 000 $.
Last time I carefully watched and cheered Mark ON4WW well planed try to make one man Bouvet expedition to come true with goal 100 000 contacts during 3 month. Unfortunately amateur radio community voted for big, costly, short period expedition which can make probably 60-80 thousands of QSOs.
Look – 100 persons making small expeditions will give you 100 DXCC entities every 3 day in a year. When you group them to 20 persons big events it will give you 5 DXCC entities every 2.5 month.
As everybody knows propagation on radio waves depends on sunspot numbers. Now (2017) we are going to sunspot minimum which is expected in 2020. Then we expect improving of propagation (especially on higher bands – 20m and above).
Next maximum of propagation probably will be first reached in about 2023. As usual maximum should be with two peaks separated by small deep. See following picture of last cycles and imagine future propagation yourself.
Where do we go next…?Welcome to DXpeditions. Some Polish DXpeditions are described here as well as my view point on radio expeditions. Enjoy surfing on this site!
