Armed with only a rudimentary understanding of sailing and a fake callsign, G7DV, Danny Weil embarked on a journey that would change many lives in ways he could hardly have imagined. In 1955, Danny Weil set sail from Christchurch, just outside Bournemouth, England, aboard the yacht YASME. He passed through the notorious “Run” at Mudeford Channel, a stretch of water known for its erratic currents, setting the stage for a legendary DX-pedition that continues to inspire ham radio operators to this day.
Three days ago, I had the privilege of visiting Christchurch. I can confirm—it’s certainly not for the faint-hearted. The currents are unpredictable, and navigating them is an adventure in itself.
How YASME Changed My Life
Reading about Danny’s voyage and the legendary YASME DX-pedition to Clipperton Island (FO0XX) in the 1980s had a profound impact on me. In fact, it was one of the biggest inspirations that led me to become a ham radio operator in the mid-80s. I received my C-class license on December 5, 1985, which allowed me to operate on HF bands—at least on CW. (I had already earned a technical license two years earlier for VHF and above.)
During 1985 and 1986, I devoured stories of the YASME DX-peditions to Clipperton and other far-flung locations. These accounts ignited a dream within me—to conquer the seemingly impossible, to embark on my own DX-pedition. I spent countless hours at my local ham radio club, learning from my Elmer, SM7EQL Ben, who taught me the intricacies of CW and how to pick out rare DX signals amidst the heavy noise on 40 meters.
In 1989, I embarked on my own backpacking DX-pedition as a 21-year-old rookie, and it was there that I met Martti OH2BH. Martti, seeing something in me, invited me to join the 3D2AM DX-pedition to Conway Reef, a pivotal moment in my ham radio career. That experience not only deepened my passion for ham radio but also set me on a path that eventually led to a rewarding career in the humanitarian world.
From DX-Peditions to Lifelong Friendships
Over the years, I organized several DX-peditions, including those to Banaba, Tokelau, and Kanton Island. But it was my friendship with SM6CAS Nils (RIP) that truly shaped my journey. Nils and I often discussed the dream of combining sailing with DX-peditioning. Our plans, made in 1994, never materialized at the time, but the dream lived on in our conversations over the years.
I learned so much from that experience it lead to a lifetime career in the Humanitarian world. I Got seasoned enough to get a career that I could not have dreamt of, through the pure willpower of Peter ON6TT.
Now, years later, after stepping back from my professional career, I’m ready to make that dream a reality. Nils-Göran, this journey is for you—DX IS!
Setting Sail in the Spirit of YASME
In just 30 hours, we’ll be setting sail on Manami II, my yacht, which shares its name with a Japanese word meaning “love, affection, beautiful sea, and ocean.” The name perfectly embodies the spirit of our upcoming adventure—a journey that will honor the legacy of YASME and the many DX-peditions that followed.
As we set sail, the name Manami II will carry the weight of that history and inspiration. Many old-timers still have the QSL cards from the early YASME expeditions, and countless others have read about them, even if they don’t know the full story. To me, however, these tales mean everything. They are the foundation of this adventure, and as we embark on our own journey, I’ll occasionally reflect on the epic nature of Danny Weil’s original voyage.