From July 24 to 29, 2025, a multinational team of amateur radio operators will activate Gavdos Island using the special callsign SX9G, participating in the global IOTA (Islands On The Air) contest during the weekend of July 26–27.
Gavdos, the southernmost point of Europe and part of IOTA group EU-187, is a rare and highly sought-after island entity for IOTA hunters worldwide, offering a unique opportunity for new radio contacts.
Why Gavdos?
Gavdos is a small and remote island south of Crete, covering just 29 square kilometers with fewer than 50 permanent residents. Its isolation, limited accessibility (only via small boats from Crete), and lack of infrastructure — relying mostly on solar power and generators — make it both a challenging and ideal destination for IOTA operations.
The island has a rich amateur radio history, with previous activations such as SX9VK (2017), J49A (2010), SX9G (2003), and SV9/SV1QN (2002), attracting thousands of QSOs from all around the world.
The SX9G Team
The expedition includes an experienced team of ten operators from five countries:
- SV1JG (Cliff) – Team Leader
- SV1ENG (Antonis)
- SV1GE (John)
- SV1DPJ (Vasilis)
- SV1YU (Kostas)
- DD2CW (Jef)
- HB9EBC (Micke)
- ON3UN (Dirk)
- VK2IR (Tommy)
- G0PZA (Garo)
The majority of the operators are members and operators of SZ1A, with extensive experience in DXpeditions and major international contests. Their strong teamwork, technical expertise, and cultural diversity reflect the international spirit and quality of the amateur radio community.
The IOTA Contest & The Rarity of EU-187
The Islands On The Air (IOTA) program, organized by the Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB), encourages radio communication with islands worldwide. The annual contest, held during the last weekend of July, is one of the year’s most anticipated events for amateur radio enthusiasts.
EU-187, which includes Gavdos and the surrounding islets south of Crete, is rarely activated due to access challenges, making it a prized contact for thousands of IOTA chasers globally.
QSL Information for SX9G
QSL confirmation for SX9G will be handled by ON3UN (Dirk Martens), via Club Log OQRS and LoTW.
Direct QSL:
Dirk Martens – ON3UN,
Spoorwegstraat 56,
Turnhout 2300,
Belgium
OQRS / LoTW: Confirmations via Club Log OQRS, with logs also uploaded to Logbook of The World (LoTW) a few days after the expedition ends.
Bureau: Also available via ON3UN, but OQRS is strongly recommended for faster and safer confirmation.
Stay Tuned
The SX9G expedition is a rare opportunity to work one of Europe’s most remote and desirable island locations. Follow us for updates and field photos as the departure date approaches.
