3G0Z Robinson Crusoe Is.

28.02.2026

License has been requested to the Chilean license authority.

18.03.2026

Subtel, Chilean license authority has confirmed the special call sign requested for this activity: 3G0Z & XR0Z.

29.03.2026

A two element triband yagi antenna for 20-15-10m will be shipped to Robinson Crusoe Is. in early April along with other radio stuffs, in total 45kg of additional cargo. 

The shipment will be carried aboard the vessel "Antonio" which operates two monthly cargo trips from the port of Valparaiso to Robinson Crusoe Island.

Finally more cargo than expected is ready to be shipped to Robinson Crusoe Is. that´ s because I´ ve added some mono bands yagi antennas and a dual-band cubical quad antenna for 12 & 17m, along with a long list of radio gear. Everything is prepared to be sent to the city port of Valparaíso where it will be loaded for transport to the island. "It's better to be well prepared and pay extra cargo for overweight" don't you think?

15.04.2026

Today, approximately 120kg of cargo was shipped to the city port of Valparaiso - more than I initially expected - the cargo is scheduled to arrive in Robinson Crusoe Is. during the first week of May, a couple of weeks ahead of my own arrival, which is planned for the third or four week of May. I will be sharing more detailed and exact dates ASAP. 

30.04.2026

The vessel Antonio, which transports cargo from the port of Valparaíso to Juan Fernández Island, arrived at the island yesterday and is currently unloading all the cargo — including my expedition equipment.

My contact on the island has informed me that everything arrived safely and intact which is a very good news, this will allowed me travel light. 

You can watch a short video of the unloading operation on my YouTube channel, follow me for further videos before during and after de operation on Juan Fernandez Island.

https://youtube.com/shorts/sWOfpLBTvpw?si=rTgY969487RWIIN1

Possible Activation of SA-101 Alejandro Selkirk Island 

There is now a very strong possibility of carrying out a short but highly valuable operation from Alejandro Selkirk Island SA-101 (7.4% according IOTA Ltd), with an estimated on-air window of approximately 24 to 36 hours.

This activation will depend entirely on the final logistics costs involved in moving part of my radio equipment to the island, as well as securing enough gasoline to keep the generator running during the operation.

Should this operation take place, will be under the callsign XR0Z, which has already been requested and authorized by SUBTEL.

Although this would be a limited-time activity, it represents an excellent and perhaps rare opportunity to put SA-101 on the air again for the benefit of the worldwide IOTA community.

At this moment, everything is under evaluation and the project remains open, but the chances are real and increasing.

More information soon as plans develop.

08.05.2026

With less than one week remaining before the start of my journey to Robinson Crusoe Island, I am pleased to announce that the first RF transmissions from the island are estimated for May 19th at 21:00z.

The operation may last approximately 20 days, which should provide enough time — propagation conditions permitting — to contact many of you across multiple bands and modes.

Initial activity will most likely begin on the 40, 80, and 160 meter bands while I continue progressively installing the rest of the antennas specially prepared for this expedition.

Remote station:

A group of very well known and experienced operators led by Renner PY7RP will operating the remote station that I will install on the island, actively contributing to the success of this activity.

IOTA SA-101: 

The plan to put IOTA SA-101 on the air continues to move forward and take solid shape.

K6VVA Rick and K9AJ Mike have been in contact with me, and shared valuable information regarding the CB0Z activity conducted in 2020. According to their reports, that operation experienced a very high level of QRN, mainly generated by the solar panel systems installed in the village.

Work is currently underway to secure a location far from the populated area and at a very good elevation, which, combined with the support of the locals should provide a much more favorable operating environment than past operation in Selkirk. The follow picture shows how blocked the signal is toward W6/JA and Pacific.

As you can see putting Alejandro Selkirk is not easy, but will be considerably easier than my previous experience operating from Ilotes Pájaros SA-100.

16.05.2026

The journey began on the morning of Saturday, May 16th, departing from Puerto Varas bound for Santiago (capital city) Here, I had the opportunity to enjoy a pleasant dinner and an excellent conversation with two good friends: Manu, CE3YMR, and Moisés, CE3VTZ.

If weather conditions allow, it is possible that I may arrive at Robinson Crusoe Is. earlier than expected. Nevertheless, the first RF transmission remains scheduled for the afternoon/evening of May 19th CE time. This is because I still need to transport all the equipment already on the island to the final location where the antennas will be installed.

There is still a great deal of work ahead, but everything is progressing according to plan.

Stay tuned for further updates, see you in the pile up!

Picture: L-R: XQ7IR, Moisés CE3VTZ & Manu CE3YMR

19.05.2026

Today, the 3G0Z operation began a couple of hours ahead of schedule. At the moment, operations are taking place on the 17m band using SSB and FT8 modes, with a single element Delta Loop antenna.

Over the next few hours, I expect to continue installing the remaining antennas and bring the linear amplifier into service in order to expand the station's operating capabilities.

Weather conditions on the island are somewhat unstable, with cloudy skies and occasional light rain showers; however, the temperature is quite pleasant at around 15°C (59°F). There are also periods of light wind, but nothing to be concerned about.

The location selected for the antenna installation is approximately 40 meters above sea level, with an excellent takeoff toward Europe, Africa, and the central United States, providing good propagation prospects.

The estimated operating period is around 20 days, photos of the antennas and radio station setup will be shared ASAP.

21.05.2026

So far, most of the operation has been focused on FT8 transmissions, which has allowed me to progressively continue with the installation of the different antennas.

Last night, we experienced strong wind gusts on the island, reaching speeds of up to 60 km/h. Fortunately, the antennas already installed performed very well and withstood the severe weather conditions without any issues.

There is still work ahead: I still need to install a 2-element Delta Loop antenna for 10m, a 2-element Yagi for 15m, and an antenna covering the 80, 60, and 160m.

I would like to sincerely thank everyone for your emails and messages. I am gradually responding to each one of them.

See you on the bands. 

Felipe.

24.05.2026

With nearly all antennas now installed (only a Yagi antenna for the 6 and 15m bands remains to be installed), the operation continues to progress very well. Weather conditions have been consistently favorable, with pleasant temperatures and a gentle breeze both day and night, except for one storm that forced me to improvise a protective shelter. Fortunately, it worked flawlessly to withstand the wind and rain while keeping both the equipment and station setup safe.

I would like to share the following information, especially for Asia and Pacific stations:

The best option for making contacts is via Long Path. A significant mountain range completely blocks my signal toward Asia/Pacific on short path (see picture below), so I strongly recommend pointing antennas via the long-path route.

I am currently operating normally between 600 and 800w. Reception has been very good across nearly all bands. During nighttime, noise levels increase slightly due to interference generated by the power lines, but nothing significant enough to affect overnight operations.

At this point, I have already surpassed 7,000 QSOs. Logs have been sent to Tim M0URX, my QSL Manager, who has quickly updated and uploaded the LOG online.

From now on, I will focus more effort on CW and SSB operation while always trying to keep one station active on FT8 for those who enjoy digital modes.

Finally, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to all organizations, corporations, and fellow Hams who have generously contributed to making this activity possible. Your support has been essential in bringing this project success.

See you on the Pile Up!

Felipe.

27.05.2026

Low Bands

With nearly 12k QSOs in the log, the first low band QSO has been logged at 2240 UTC on May 27th 2026 on 80m band (3.573 MHz) with LU7MC, marking the beginning of low band operations from Robinson Crusoe Is.

The extremely low noise level on the island, combined with the excellent receiving performance of this antenna —which covers 60, 80, and 160m —should allow for productive nighttime operations, propagation permitting.

As of 0319 UTC on May 28, 2026, I am still active on 60 meters FT8 with a large pileup (see photo below).

If you have any requests regarding low-band operations, please let me know.

Felipe.

31.05.2026

Ten days after the start of the Dxpedition, I have reached 15.000 QSOs across the different bands and modes from 160 to 10m.

The first contact was made on 160m FT8 with PY2KM. Immediately afterward several signals began appearing on the waterfall, mainly from EU and NA

The antennas currently installed are as follows:

* 2-element Delta Loop

* Single-element 12/17m Cubical Quad

* 2-element Delta Loop for 10m

* Single-element Delta Loop for 20m

* DX Commander antenna for 40/30/15m

* DX Engineering antenna for 60/80/160m

This antenna setup provides full coverage from 160m through 10m.

"Two Generations of San Ambrosio Island (CE0X) DXpeditioners"

02.06.2026

With just a few hours remaining before completing two weeks on the air, I am pleased to announce that I have reached 20,000 QSOs in the log. My sincere thanks to all of you for the endless Pile ups I have had the privilege of working through over these past weeks. I have truly enjoyed every moment of this operation.

My operating schedule has been between 14 and 17 hours per day, taking breaks only to sleep, shower, and eat.

I would also like to inform everyone that "the planned activation of SA-101 Alejandro Selkirk Island will not take place" due to the severe weather currently affecting the island, the port of Robinson Crusoe remains closed to all types of vessels.

If any team is interested in planning an activation of Alejandro Selkirk Island, feel free to send me an email. I will gladly share reliable, first-hand information on how to reach the island, or you may simply wait until I get there first.

I must also inform everyone that this operation will go QRT on 2026 06 05 Friday at 0600 UTC, as I will be returning to Santiago on a charter flight departing at approximately 1800 UTC. Over the coming days I will progressively dismantle the antenna systems, leaving only the 40/60/80/160m antenna in operation until the very end.

Almost all of my equipment will remain stored on Robinson Crusoe Island, awaiting my next activation from CE0X San Ambrosio Island. Plans are progressing well, and the recent developments during this visit to CE0Z have given me renewed energy and motivation to make that operation happen.

I sincerely regret not being able to provide details in advance, as I would have loved to keep everyone informed about the planning process. However, I have no desire to deal with the same group of CE idiots and brainless individuals causing intentional QRM to this activity. Therefore, you will only hear about my trip when I am already on my way to CE0X.

Finally, I would like to remind everyone that OQRS is available through the website of my QSL Manager, Tim M0URX, and you are welcome to submit your QSL requests there.

Thank you all for making this such a fantastic and unforgettable operation!

73,

Felipe 3G0Z

06.06.2026

Operation has enter on QRT at 1400z 05/06/2026, after 17 days of operation I have reach 22.003 QSOs from 160 to 10m band, in my opinion a very good mark for a One Man Dxpedition.

LOGS has been sent to my Qsl Manager TIM M0URX, you can check your contacts status in his website.

We are already working in the designe of the qsl card, where MAX ON5UR will make the designe. I can tell you in advance that the qsl card will be 4 sided.

I am still on Robinson Crusoe Island because the charter flight back to Santiago, Chile, has been canceled due to bad weather conditions. It is likely that I will be able to travel back in a day or two.

In the meantime, I have taken advantage of these extra days to work through the hundreds of emails that all of you have sent me. I will make sure to reply to each and every one of them personally, as is my usual style.

At the end of this update, I have been invited to enjoy a traditional "chivo al palo" (spit-roasted goat) by some friends here on the island. And this is no ordinary goat, it came from A. Selkirk, SA-101, and was generously donated to celebrate the successful conclusion of this Dxpedition.

Thank you all for your support, Cheers! 

Felipe XQ7IR