Welcome to Issue #007 of Radio Waves Weekly! This week: 3Y0K is finally on the air from Bouvet Island — the most remote uninhabited island on Earth — and the pile-ups are epic. The Rebel DX Group is next up with a Kanton Island activation starting March 25. Plus a pocket-sized Indian SDR that does FT8 without a computer, the freshest QRP Labs kit, two wire antennas you can build this weekend, and a handful of contests and events to fill your log before spring.
1. 3Y0K — Bouvet Island Is Finally on the Air DX NEWS
After years of planning, a $1.6 million budget, and an icebreaker from Cape Town, the 3Y0K team made it. As of March 1 they are QRV on FT8 and CW with the first log batch — over 11,000 QSOs — already uploaded to ClubLog. Bouvet ranks #10 on the Most Wanted DXCC list at ClubLog. South Asia stations should watch for long-path openings to 3Y0K on 20m and 17m around 0200–0500 UTC.
Live log & latest updates → 3y0k.com DXNews QSL info, band plan & ClubLog →
2. T31TTT — Rebel DX Group Returns to Kanton Island, Phoenix Islands DX ALERT
The Rebel DX Group will activate Kanton Island (IOTA OC-043) as T31TTT starting March 25 for up to two weeks, operating around government work commitments. Kanton was last on the air as T31T in 2023. This is a rare Central Pacific entity and a welcome chance for Indian operators to log a new one on 20m and 15m.
DX-World announcement & QSL info → DXNews full band plan →
3. zBitx — India’s Pocket SDR Transceiver: FT8, CW and SSB on Two AA-Size Cells QRP BUILD
VU2ESE Ashhar Farhan’s zBitx squeezes a 5W, 80–10m SDR with a 24-bit ADC, 480×320 touchscreen, and a self-contained FT8 station into a 250g package running on two 18650 LiPo cells. No external computer, no sound card cables — tap a callsign on the screen to complete a QSO. Open-source hardware and software. Ships from India for around $200 worldwide; a waiting list is typical.
Full specs & order → hfsignals.com Detailed field review by VE3VRW (QRPer) →
4. QMX+ — QRP Labs’ 160–6m Multimode Kit Gets Real-Time Clock and GPS Option QRP KIT
The QMX+ is Hans Summers’ expanded version of the popular QMX — same TCXO-stabilised SDR receiver, 3–5W PA and embedded 24-bit USB sound card, now in a larger QCX+-style enclosure with a CR2032-backed RTC and an optional internal GPS module for WSPR beacon use. Covers 160–6m on CW, SSB and digi modes. Kit: $125; assembled: $185.
Full specs, assembly manual & order → qrp-labs.com
5. Multi-Band Doublet — One Wire, One ATU, Every HF Band ANTENNA BUILD
A centre-fed doublet fed with 450Ω open-wire ladder line is arguably the most versatile HF wire antenna you can build. Unlike a resonant dipole cut for one band, a 40m doublet covers 80–10m through your ATU with minimal loss and a near-omnidirectional pattern on the lower bands. Construction is simple: two equal legs, a good balun at the ATU input, and any ATU that can handle balanced line. A full build guide with dimensions is on vu3dxr.in.
Full build guide — Multi-Band Doublet →
6. Fan Dipole — Two Resonant Bands from One Feedpoint, No Tuner Needed ANTENNA PROJECT
Hang a second dipole element cut for a different band alongside your existing one and both share the same coax — no tuner, no switching. The 40/20m and 20/10m combinations are the most common. Element spacing, feedpoint construction, and the interaction between the two elements are all covered in the vu3dxr.in build guide.
Fan Dipole: Two Bands, One Feedline, Zero Compromises →
7. Stew Perry Topband Challenge — 160m CW, March 14–15 CONTEST
The Stew Perry Downeast Contest is the only major event where QSO points scale with distance — a QRP station 2,000 km away scores as many points as a kilowatt station next door. Open to all power levels; single and multi-op. Runs 1500Z March 14 to 1500Z March 15. This weekend also overlaps with the South America 10m Contest and the TESLA Memorial HF CW Contest, so there is plenty to log.
Complete rules & past results → stewperry.com
8. Novice Rig Roundup 2026 — On Now Through March 15 CONTEST
The NRR is running right now through March 15. Drag out that Heathkit HW-16, DX-35, or any rig you lusted after as a Novice and make leisurely CW contacts with no rate pressure and no fancy exchange. Chirp, drift and all. An annual reminder that ham radio was fun long before SDR — and still is.
NRR rules, exchange & lifetime membership number →
9. RaDAR Rally 2026 — Deploy, Log Five QSOs, Redeploy, Repeat EVENT
RaDAR (Rapid Deployment Amateur Radio) is a four-hour field challenge: set up your portable station, make five contacts, then physically move to a new location and do it again. The 2026 Rally runs on April 4 with registration open through April 3. An intro video and participant roster are available on the website. A brilliant stress test for your SOTA or POTA kit.
Registration & rules → radarops.co.za
10. AMSAT StOTA — Students Work Satellites Every 1st and 3rd Tuesday NEWS
AMSAT has launched Students On The Air (StOTA) Days, a recurring activity for licensed student operators to get on the air and work amateur satellites. Events fall on the first and third Tuesday of every month. Inspired by AMSAT President Drew Glasbrenner KO4MA and his son Carsten KQ4SJM, the initiative is open to all operators who want to encourage young hams to try satellite operating.
Official AMSAT announcement — ANS-060 bulletin → amsat.org AMSAT-UK full write-up & Discord invite → amsat-uk.org
Want to contribute? Found an interesting circuit, a new SDR software, a helpful radio blog, or breaking ham radio news? Email me or leave a comment below. Your link might be featured in next Sunday’s digest!
