Market Reef

Market Reef, or Märket, is a small reef with a lighthouse on the Swedish/Finnish border, just outside Åland in the Baltic sea. The border zig-zags through the island, making it a special DX entity. The OJ0 callsign prefix was issued in 1973, and has since that day been wanted in the logbooks of many DXers. At the time of writing, it currently holds the #162 on ClubLog’s DXCC most wanted list.

From April 27th to May 4th 2024, a small team of four Norwegian operators will activate the entity once again, and hopefully give many operators world-wide a new (or maybe ATNO?) contact with OJ0.

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Dates

April 27th – May 4th

Please note that if the sea is too rough, the departure will be postponed. Any more than 4-5 meters per second means it’s almost impossible to disembark safely. The same goes for our return, we’ll follow the weather forecast, and may adjust the dates accordingly.

Given that the weather gods are kind to us, we will start setting up the antennas immediately after arrival, and expect to be on the air sometime during that evening.

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Latest updates

[Friday, May 10th]

Logs have been uploaded to LoTW and QRZ.com, but before you switch tabs to check your QSOs, please note the following:

Log errors: We are aware there are some errors in our logs, for various reasons. For example, we know we had some issues with RFI, knocking out the data communication to the radio. This sometimes caused the frequency/mode to be incorrect for a small number of QSOs. If you believe you are affected by this (and worked us on CW and/or SSB), feel free to get in touch and we will check our logs to do the necessary corrections. We might also have done typos entering your callsign in the log, in which case you should reach out so we can confirm.

Unfortunately, and as mentioned earlier, the FT4/FT8 logs are final. The log files are ridiculously large, and the amount of work required to manually inspect every callsign request is a tremendous job. Therefore, we’ve decided to trust the software leaving it as-is. If you’re NIL there are many reasons for this, most commonly the last RR73 exchange being unsuccessful. It is known that WSJT-X attempts to complete the QSO a couple of times before giving up and moving on.

For what it’s worth, there will be many more opportunities to work OJ0 in the future via other DXpeditions. Rumour has it there’s at least one OJ0 activity again, in autumn this year.

[Tuesday, May 7th]

Some of you may have noticed that we adopted the “Worst Expedition Ever” title on our homepage and QRZ.com profile. This is a humorous response to the negative comments we saw on the clusters underway. No offense taken, but we were curious how we could be the worst. Ever. Like, ever?

We also decided name our team the “Worst Expedition Team” from now on. Hopefully this will lower people’s expectations for our future DXpeditions.

Let’s look back. What did the Worst Expedition Team do this time?

• Fully funded the DXpedition themselves, no sponsors required
• Donations were optional (but highly appreciated!!)
• Spent months with planning and organizing
• Took time off from work, family duties, chores
• Required no payments for QSL, logs being uploaded to LoTW shortly
• Minimal sleep each night during operation to work as many as possible
• Dedicated time to work operators with special requests, just to be nice, not for money

If that makes us the worst, then we will wear the badge “Worst Expedition Ever” with great pride.

Do we have any pictures? Glad you asked!

Here we have arrived in Åland and are waiting for the boat transport. Time to update the XYL’s; here’s Tor, LA3WAA, while Stian, LB5SH, is trying to act cool.

After about 30-40 minutes at sea Market Reef appeared in the horizon.

When we arrived the sea was a bit too rough on the north side, so we made the last bit with a zodiac. This meant multiple trips back and forth. A free exercise considering the heavy equipment we brought with us.

The equipment was carried up to the room. The antennas and coaxial cables were left downstairs, as we had to start working with the antennas immediately before it got too dark outside. No artificial lights outside.

We were welcomed by a few seals. We tried our best not to disturb them, but despite our best efforts they fled to a reef a few hundred meters away and were happy there. The lighthouse crew visited them later for inspection to make sure they were okay, and there were no reasons for concern.

The crew allowed us to use the next-door room for radio operation. Normally, only the shack is used for this, but since we were many operators and needed a “quiet room” to get some sleep, they made an exception for us. Here’s a picture from night time operation, while others are getting some rest.

Some people claimed we had a “ghost operator” working FT8 at nights. This is correct. Here’s the Ghost operator monitoring all computers while others caught up on sleep. If any mistakes were made, blame it on the refreshments that were served, not the operator.

This is Bjørn’s homemade yagi for 6m/4m, on a rotor. We only had a few contacts on 6m but had great fun working SSB on aurora later. 4m was not open yet, and resulted in zero contacts on that band.

Bjørn, LA1UW, operating SSB, trying to tame the pileup. Unfortunately it was borderline insane; like wearing a meat suit while running through a pack of hungry wolves.

The lighthouse, along with two of the verticals we used.

This is the vertical that Stian, LB5SH, used. DX Commander Classic, 40-10m with the optional 80m “inv-L” (more like low inv-V). Oddly, this antenna also tuned 60m and 160m for some reason.

This is the impromptu antenna of Kristoffer, LB0VG, that worked great. Albeit unexpected, the accidental distance between the two made it possible for Stian and Kristoffer to work 20m (CW and SSB) simultaneously without any QRM on each other. A nice and very welcome surprise!

Tor, LA3WAA, deeply focused working CW like a champ

We did not acquire 60m and 30m filters in time, so we had to build our own. The base was a component kit from Sotabeams, and we used a carpenter knife to score blank PCBs according to our best understanding of the suggested schematics. The case was a plastic box for screws, shielded using aluminium foil from the kitchen. We measured the filters and they worked great. Even though they were rated for maximum 15w, we settled with 10w at had our PA’s do the rest of the power lifts. The text on the box says “30m LPF (we think)” – we weren’t sure at the time that it would work.

Here’s the 60m LPF being built from scratch. Sure, it ain’t pretty, but it works.

At the end of the operation, we had to clean the rooms and leave them the way they were found. If you’re going to OJ0 for a DXpedition, this is the room you’ll stay in.

The sea was calm upon departure, and the boat could land at the north side so we didn’t have to use the zodiac. Tons of equipment were carried back into the boat before heading back to Åland.

Waiting for the ferry from Åland to Grisslehamn, Sweden. Kristoffer couldn’t let the opportunity pass, and quickly rigged a vertical he made earlier to operate as OH0/LB0VG. Worth mentioning: at this point we already saw the ferry approaching. He didn’t get much time on the air, but made four contacts.

After a 10 hour drive from Grisslehamn we were exhausted and parted to our respective homes for a shower and a good night sleep.

We logged more than 25,000 contacts, and received many kind words from operators around the world. Thank you all for the great fun we had on this OJ0T DXpedition to Market Reef!

Stian, LB5SH – Kristoffer, LB0VG – Bjørn, LA1UW – Tor, LA3WAA

[Saturday, May 4th]

The last station went QRT 0500Z this morning, and the operation is now over.

At the time of writing this we are driving off the ferry from Åland to Sweden, and all team members are exhausted but happy with the days spent on Market Reef.

An update along with pictures coming up soon.

[Friday, May 3rd]

We are now pretty much QRT except for Kristoffer, LB0VG, who chained himself to the chair, refusing to stop before the boat leaves. This is your last chance to work OJ0T – he will try 60m FT8 before we come running with the bolt cutters.

Approximately 25,000 contacts are in the log, despite having difficult conditions. Our goal was to activate the higher bands, but unfortunately 10m and 12m openings were miniscule and mainly worked using FT8.

Big thanks to everyone who supported us and called in underway.

[Friday, May 3rd]

Only three hours left of operation before we start taking stuff down.

So far we have logged around 24,000 contacts, where ~2,000 are dupes. We strongly encourage our callers who have already worked us to let others who don’t have Market Reef, either on the band/mode in question or maybe as ATNO.

Now, let’s see if we can hit 25k before the time runs out.

[Thursday, May 2nd]

Approaching 20k in the log total, including dupes. However, we had some problems with our Clublog stream but about 95% should have been uploaded. This means: if you can’t find your call in the Clublog search function, you may still be on our local logs. We will upload our logs as soon as we get home, and then – and only then – you will know if you have been logged incorrectly, or not at all.

Please have patience and bear with us. We are trying our best out here.

Contacts made on FT4/FT8 will not be modified or changed, they are final.

If you can’t hear us on a certain band it’s because it’s not good propagation from OJ0. We have tried 10m and 12m FT8 multiple times, but despite our best efforts only a very few could hear us. We will keep trying until we are QRT.

Skeds are still welcome, but keep your expectations low.

[Thursday, May 2nd]

We just hit 18,000 QSOs in the log, where 1,500 are dupes. The pileups are seemingly endless. If you have worked before on a band/mode combo, please give others a fair chance and avoid being a dupe. Our logs shows several operators having worked us multiple times on the same band/mode combo — sometimes two or three times in the same pileup, which effectively means taking someone else’s opportunity to get in touch.

Tonight, around 1900Z, we will try FT8 on 80m on 3.547 MHz for an hour or so. This is to give a our friends in Korea a shot. Operators from other countries, being unable to work us due to local regulations, are also welcome to call in.

Then there’s the boring part. Our ride back to Sweden arrives early Saturday morning, so tomorrow at around 1800Z we will start taking down our antennas. We will work even more SSB and CW, only running FT8 during breaks or at night time. This is of course being supervised by an operator, a task we are taking on shifts.

[Wednesday, May 1st]

We are closing in on 13,000 QSOs in the log.

Kristoffer moved his antenna farther away from the antenna park to reduce interference from other stations, with excellent results.

It’s extremely difficult to log weak stations with impatient operators calling on top, regardless of mode. We encourage you to have patience and listen operators calling. Let’s say, hypothetically, we’re working a weak 2E0 station, then IU2 need not reply. Such interruption slows down the logging dramatically – in worst case we simply have to QRT and QSY to another band/mode.

Not sure you’re in the log? Keep an eye on our Clublog live stream!

[Tuesday, April 30th]

Quick Tuesday update:

• We are now QRV on 6m, and have already made a few QSOs.
• 4m is available upon request – let us know if you want to try!
• 160m dipole is deployed and will be put to use tonight
• 10m and 12m to NA is a priority, we frequently check for openings
• More than 11,000 QSOs in the log

[Sunday, April 28th]

First off, let’s start with a status update:

We have deployed most antennas and all four stations are on the air most of the time. About 4,000 contacts so far. We’re trying our best to focus on the upper bands, such as 10-12-15-17, but conditions are not optimal at all times.

More activity on 160m, 60m, 30m will follow the next few days.

Second, we kindly ask our callers to please listen to the operator!

We truly appreciate everyone calling in, and we kindly ask everyone to follow some sort of etiquette when it comes to pileups. Do not interrupt an ongoing QSO, and do not respond when we’re calling someone else. Even if a letter in the suffix happens to match one in your prefix, or the numbers are similar.

The means fewer QSOs per minute for us, which decreases everone’s chance of ending up in the log – and this includes you, too.

[Friday, April 26th]

Yes! We are on the air, one day prior to expected DXpedition start. Day one has consisted mainly of testing, equipment setup, etc. If you’ve hear us online, somewhat sporadically, that’s why. We only got a few bands resonant in our antenna park before the daylight vanished and we had to go back inside the lighthouse. Tomorrow we will do some minor adjustments, and then we go all-in.

[Friday, April 26th]

We have arrived in Eckerö, Åland, and are now awaiting our transport to Market Reef.

[Thursday, April 25th]

After 12 hours of driving, including a couple of necessary stops, we have arrived in Grisslehamn and aim for a good night’s sleep before heading for the ferry to Åland tomorrow morning.

Weather conditions are promising, and if everything goes according to plan, we will arrive on OJ0 territory Friday evening.

[Thursday, April 25th]

Finally – we are on the way! Underway we will discuss the operation, such as a band plan schedule, and so on. Hopefully we didn’t forget anything crucial back home.

Tor, LA3WAA, behind the wheel. Bjørn, LA1UW, being co-driver and looking out for speed traps!

[Monday, April 22nd]

Yesterday the team started loading the equipment into the van. Boxes and crates of radio equipment, power amplifiers, hundreds of meters of RG213, antennas, and so on. Checklists being ticked daily, still more stuff waiting to be added.

Kristoffer also did some final tests on his homebrew 1k2 PA, and it appears to work as a charm! Maybe we can convince him to stress test it on 160m later?

Big thanks to Karl Erik, LA9KOA, who generously borrowed us his Starlink equipment, thus giving us extra security in terms of internet connection. The Clublog streams will now be running 24/7, giving all contacts the opportunity to double-check that you’re in the log.

During our previous visit in 2023 we donated a 12el 2m Yagi to Market Reef. If we find the time we might put it to use and attend the 2 meter FT8 Activity Contest, which takes place on May 1st, 1700Z-2100Z. Keep in mind if it’s too windy we can’t deploy the antenna. It’s also very early for any 2m activity in the Nordic region, so keep your expectations low.

All operators are excited and struggle with the anxious feeling of “what have I forgotten..?”

[Wednesday, April 10th]

16 days left until we leave!

Tor, LA3WAA, has finished his vertical. It’s now awaits the final fine-tuning that we will do on Market Reef. It supports 40-10 meters, with an additional inverted-L for 80 meters.

Bjørn, LA1UW, has finished his 6m/4m beam and apparently satisfied with the result.

Kristoffer, LB0VG, is nearly finished building his homebrew power amplifier. Test bench measurements are looking very promising!

[Wednesday, April 3rd]

A quick informal meeting was held yesterday, where the team discussed the final bits and pieces for this DXpedition. Now the ferry tickets are booked and most of the equipment settled. We are now working on gathering enough coaxial cable. Turns out it accumulates quite a lot of RG213 with four radios, and at least one antenna on each – who would’ve thunk, eh?

Bjørn, LA1UW, is building a new 6m/4m yagi for this expedition. While it might be a bit early for any good 4m openings, we’ll give it a try anyway, just in case. We will announce any 4m activity on DX clusters, so keep an eye open if OJØ on 4m is of interest.

Stian, LB5SH, will mainly focus on SSB and FT8, but is also practising CW and might give it a go, hoping it won’t end in carnage. If you catch us calling and the op seems a bit, oh shall we say, “slow,” then please show some mercy for this rookie CW op.

Tor, LA3WAA, also plans to work more CW and SSB this time. He is also constructing a new vertical antenna for this trip, 40-10m, coupled with an optional inv-L for 80m.

Kristoffer, LB0VG, is working on his homebrew 1.2kW PA which has entered the test phase. He’s also considering bringing his SAT kit, so if you’re into that: this is your cue.

[Tuesday, March 19th]

We have secured a short callsign for this DXpedition, which is

OJØT

This will mainly be used on SSB and CW, however on digi modes (FT4/FT8) the operators will from time to time use their personal calls (CEPT prefixed, e.g. OJØ/LA1UW)

[Tuesday, March 12th]

The team will have a planning meeting the 14th to discuss the operation. Which equipment to bring; radios, amplifiers, antennas, coaxial cables, and so on. Hopefully the shack list will be settled as well.

We have also received a couple of donations, which we highly appreciate! This helps us in many ways, also encouraging us to look out for new destinations in the future.

[Tuesday, February 20th]

Dates and transport confirmed. List of equipment in the works.

[Tuesday, February 14th]

Cat’s out of the box.

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Operators

OJ0/LA1UW – Bjørn

Bjørn got his license in 1977, and spent about four years on Svalbard (JW) and contributed to establishing the JW5E ham radio club. Recently retired, he has now a growing interest in VHF, particularly 6m and 4m, as well as digital modes on all bands, including HF. Years of experience as a janitor will come in very handy.

OJ0/LA3WAA – Tor

Tor has been licensed since 1980, and is a highly skilled CW operator. Loves DX and contests, all modes, and is a major contributor to the local ham club LA2T. Metal worker by trade, solution-oriented, with years of practical experience that is invaluable for the team.

OJ0/LB5SH – Stian

Stian was licensed in 2016, with a keen interest in DX and contesting. Despite being wet behind the ears, he has pulled off a couple of small DXpeditions to JW, OY, OH0, and OJ0, as well as activating a few IOTAs.

OJ0/LB0VG – Kristoffer

Kristoffer got his license in 2015. He has been an active member of LA1K, as well as a board member, with many activities on his resumé such as field days, portable events, and many contests. Kristoffer also has a high interest and competence in electronics, both theoretical and practical.

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QSL

Please forward your requests via our QSL manager, Pedro Monsell (EA5GL).

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Bands and modes

Main focus on 160-6m. Modes SSB, FT8, CW.
Other bands/modes available upon request (skeds only)

Shack 1:
Radio: FT-950
Amplifier: Ameritron AL-80B
Main antenna: DX Commander 40-6m

Shack 2:
Radio: IC-7300
Amplifier: Expert 1k-FA PA, Gemini 4 PA 6m/4m
Main antenna: Windom 80-10m, 6m/4m yagi

Shack 3:
Radios: FT450D + FT857D, SAT
Amplifier: Homebrew 1.2kW
Main antennas: Wire antennas

Shack 4:
Radio: IC-7610
Amplifier: Expert 2k-FA PA
Main antenna: Homebrew vertical, 80-10m

The stations will take turns using a dipole for 160m/60m.

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Band plan, calendar

This is a preliminary band plan schedule for the OJ0T operation. The time and band choices are not set in stone; if there are openings outside these parameters they may be worked as well.

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Thank you

The following people have supported us, one way or another, during this expedition:

N7NR, W0YRE, N4EWT, KE9L, KH6DC, LA7THA, LA9KOA, KM3T, W6RS, NL8F, TF3EO, K5CD, DF1JC, N5DG, K1CP, KJ1JX, W1TC, W0NBC, VE7RG, N7RY, AJ9C, 9A3MR, EA3DVP, NT9F, SA3CAT, M0DSK, DL8ZAW

We also received support from the following people we do not have the callsigns for:

Gudmundur S, Harry B, Stefan T, Sonja H, Richard G, Jack G, Gerard C, James E, Werner K