South Sudan, Z8. Diya, YI1DZ will return to Juba, South Sudan on 15 December. His contract with UN-WFP runs until 30 March 2026, with a possible 11-month extension pending approval. Due to frequent travel and a rotating work schedule that includes leave every six weeks. He is active on the amateur bands as Z81D in his limited spare time, typically during the weekends. He operates SSB and digital modes mainly on 40 to 6 metres. QSL via OM3JW, Club Log, LoTW or eQSL.
Morocco, CN. Members of the Association Royale des Radioamateurs du Maroc will be active as CN35CAN during the 35th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations, the biennial international competition for African soccer teams. Morocco will host the tournament from 21 December to 18 January 2026. QSL direct, see qrz.com.
Mozambique, C8. The original plan was for the C8K DXpedition to Mozambique, organised by the Czech DXpedition Group (https://www.cdxp.cz), to take place in January-February 2025. However, it was postponed for the first time to January-February 2026 due to safety concerns. Now, due to overlapping work and personal schedules within the team, it has been rescheduled again, this time to September-October 2026. “This adjustment allows the full intended team line-up to participate and helps ensure safe, well-coordinated logistics and the best possible on-air performance,” they say. Further information is expected in due course.
Bangladesh, S2. The DXpedition to Kutubdia Island scheduled for 21 to 27 December has been postponed to a later date in 2026. This decision was made after careful consideration of several factors, including logistical and operational challenges in the region, as well as concerns about adequate resource availability. The new activation dates will be announced once all necessary arrangements and resources have been confirmed.
Lakshadweep Islands, VU7. AU7RS is the call sign for multi-national team of the 10 to 22 January DXpedition to Agatti (AS-011), Lakshadweep Islands. The multi-national team includes VU24DX, VU29AR, VU2RS, VU3DXA, VU3GDS, DJ5IW, DL6KVA, EY8MM, R7KW, VE7KW and YT1AD. Plans are to operate CW, SSB and digital modes on 160 to 6 metres with four stations, while a fifth station will be dedicated to QO-100. QSL via M0OXO’s OQRS. Donations to help offset the significant costs are still gratefully accepted, see https://www.vu2rs.com/vu7r/ for more information.
Russia, UA. Special call signs R2026A, R2026C, R2026L, R2026N, R2026NY, R2026S, R2026X, UE26HNY and UE26NY will be active from 29 December to 11 January for the annual “Russian New Year” radio marathon organized by the Miller DX Club (https://mdxc.ru/) and the Rostov Oblast branch of the Russian Amateur Radio Union (SSR). QSLs via RQ7L. See https://hamlog.online/club/mdxc for the certificates.
Azerbaijan, 4K. Jan, DL4XT will be active holiday style as 4K/DL4XT from Azerbaijan between 26 December and 3 January. He will operate SSB, CW and digital modes on 40, 20, 15 and 10 metres. QSL via LoTW, Club Log’s OQRS and QRZ.
French Guiana, FY. Pierre-Jean, F4GPK will be active again as TO2FY from Korou, French Guiana between 22 December and 15 January. He will operate SSB only. QSL via LoTW and eQSL; he does not use Club Log and will “not answer to paper QSL even with green stamps”.
Contest University 2026. Registration is now open for the 2026 Contest University (CTU), to be held on 14 May at the Hope Hotel in Dayton, Ohio. This is the day before the Dayton Hamvention officially opens. See https://www.contestuniversity.com/ for the details.
South Georgia, VP0SG. Amateur Radio DXpeditions (ARD) has reached a key milestone in preparing for the March 2027 VP0SG South Georgia DXpedition by signing the vessel contract for the MV “Meredian”. This ice-strengthened vessel is ideal for the sub-Antarctic environment and is operated by 60 South Expeditions, who have significant experience in the region. Progress with the Government of South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands is positive, as they are open to collaborating on plans while the formal permit process will begin in 2026. The operator team is forming, with twelve confirmed operators already and the possibility of two more. Fundraising is now fully underway, inviting support from foundations, clubs and individuals for this unique expedition: https://www.ardxpeditions.com/dxpeditions/vp0sg.