The Announcement and Serendipity
On September 8, 1988, as I was already en route on my Pacific DX-pedition, the news of my adventure began circulating in various Ham radio communities. The timing was impeccable. Around the same time, OH1RY Pekka and OH2BAZ announced their own Pacific DX-pedition. Meanwhile, unbeknownst to me, K3NA, VK8XX, W6SZN, and KN3T were preparing to activate 3D2XX from Rotuma, a brand-new DXCC entity.
In the pre-Internet days, staying updated required resourcefulness. My news sources were primarily over the airwaves or via the occasional fax. While I missed the chatter about Rotuma, I had enough on my plate to keep me focused. With a Ham station in a backpack and a heart full of anticipation, I was ready to see where the airwaves and adventures would take me.
Adventures with a Backpack Station
Over the course of my journey, I logged around 20,000 QSOs and connected with 189 DXCC entities. For a young operator with just 100 watts and a GPA40 vertical antenna, these numbers were a testament to perseverance and ingenuity.
One standout memory was a scheduled QSO’s with Ben (SM7EQL) on 40m CW. We had calibrated our radios to exact frequencies and marked the RIT offset with precision. Using propagation predictions, we demonstrated that consistent contacts between the Pacific and Sweden were possible—even with limited equipment. These grayline windows, while brief, were game-changing for my ability to log European stations quickly and efficiently. This we continued to do for weeks.
While I had no amplifier or large antennas, the experience taught me that passion and planning could overcome technical limitations. Every QSO was hard-earned, and every connection was a reminder of the magic of amateur radio.
Back Home: Planning the Next Adventure
When I returned to Sweden, the adventure bug had fully taken hold. My first priority was to share my experiences and build connections with fellow operators. One such connection was with Nils-Göran (SM6CAS), a 5-band SSB Honor Roll member who reached out and invited me to present my trip to a small group of Gothenburg-area DXers.
Unfamiliar with slide film, I tried to convert them prints into slides unsure of how to translate my adventure into a visual presentation. Despite my hesitation, Nils-Göran persuaded me to proceed. The intimate group of about eight DXers squinted at my photos while asking probing questions about my travels, pileup strategies, and the challenges of operating in remote locations.
Nils-Göran and I quickly developed a lasting friendship. He was deeply passionate about DXCC and IOTA, harboring a dream of conducting his own expeditions but preferring a travel partner. Though we didn’t immediately embark on a joint venture, his generosity in sharing his summer house station—a superb contest QTH—strengthened our bond.
Inspiration and Action
One of the lessons I learned early was that many DXers dream of island activations but are often held back by perceived obstacles. Whether it was family commitments, work, or finances, their “impossible” dream seemed within reach if only they shifted their focus to solutions instead of problems.
Seeing Nils-Göran take his own leap of faith by activating Yap and other islands for IOTA was a personal triumph. It was proof that with determination, even the most ambitious dreams could be realized.
The Countdown to Rotuma
While I was home, Rotuma had already been activated, and new entities like Conway Reef and Banaba entered the DXCC map. These additions only fueled my competitive spirit and hunger for adventure.
In 1989, as I prepared for my second Pacific trip, I attended the Lake Vättern DX meeting in Karlsborg. Among the attendees were SM0AGD, K3NA, KN3T and other notable operators. I shared highlights from my previous trip and announced my next plan: activating Rotuma as 3D2XR getting valuable input from K3NA. Ben (SM7EQL) also gave a talk, focusing on techniques for pulling weak signals out of the noise—skills we had honed during our Pacific-to-Sweden QSOs.
My journey to Rotuma involved a mix of patience and creativity. With no direct flights, I booked passage on a local cargo ship, timing my movements carefully. Before heading to Rotuma, I flew to Western Samoa, planning to operate American Samoa during CQWW SSB.
Crossing Paths in the Pacific
In Western Samoa, I crossed paths with Pekka (OH1RY) and his team, who were also activating various Pacific locations for CQWW. Pekka shared plans to sail to Tokelau or Conway and invited me to join. Unfortunately, logistical challenges with their primary boat derailed the attempt. Still, the camaraderie and shared passion for DXing made the encounter memorable.
After CQWW SSB, I returned to Western Samoa for a brief stint before heading back to Fiji. There, I joined the cargo ship to Rotuma and spent six extraordinary weeks on the island. Living with locals through Christmas and New Year’s, I immersed myself in the culture and savored the unique rhythm of Pacific life.
A Call from California: The YASME Invitation
While on Rotuma, I received an unexpected call on 20m from Martti (OH2BH). Living in California at the time, Martti reached out over several skeds, gradually revealing a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity: joining a major YASME DX-pedition.
At just 22 years old, I was tasked with responsibilities that were both daunting and exhilarating:
- Inspect a boat in American Samoa to determine its suitability for charter.
- Return to Fiji to handle five tons of radio equipment, clearing customs and arranging storage.
- Secure licenses and permissions for a Conway Reef landing.
The stakes were high. Failure would mean stranding six seasoned operators in Suva with no DX-pedition to execute. To sit on the beach and drink coctails as Martti put it.
3D2AM: The Adventure of a Lifetime
The Conway Reef expedition, operating as 3D2AM, was a resounding success. From the meticulous preparations to the execution on the island, the experience was transformative. Working alongside legends like Martti (OH2BH), Wayne (N7NG), Dale (VE7SV), and Pekka (OH1RY) was an education in the art and science of DXing.
The camaraderie among the team, the thrill of pileups, and the challenges of operating in such a remote location cemented my love for both DXing and adventure. Every moment on Conway Reef was a testament to what can be achieved when passion meets preparation.
Reflections and Looking Ahead
What started as a solo backpacking trip turned into a defining chapter of my life. The journey taught me resilience, the value of collaboration, and the importance of pursuing dreams with unwavering determination.
In the years since, I’ve often reflected on those early adventures. They were more than just radio operations—they were lessons in overcoming obstacles, building relationships, and embracing the unknown.
For anyone dreaming of their own DX-pedition, my advice is simple: focus on the solutions, not the obstacles. What seems impossible is often just waiting for someone bold enough to try.