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KP3/NP3VI Desecheo Stats. Some interesting items stand out in the recent Club Log stats for KP5/NP3VI.
Of 18,934 Q’s (so far) since they’ve been “on the air” – 53% are FT8 contacts, 7% are SSB and 40% are CW.
I’m thankful to be one of the 43 (grand total) that made it through on 20 Meters SSB the other day. I recorded that Q here: N0UN working KP5/NP3VI. The stats show 45, but there were two of us that worked them twice because of QRMers, so effectively only 43 (or less) got through.
You never how long an expedition will last. Weather, solar flares, license permitting, politics, equipment failures, etc. can (and do) cut these activation’s short all the time.
Maybe they’ll pick up more human mode SSB Q’s over the next couple weeks? I sure hope so!
I thought I saw a timing “schedule” for modes and geographic locations posted earlier today on their Facebook page, but then it disappeared. It’s possible they’re adjusting that schedule and it’ll be republished soon. I see in comments all around the Internet Hams are frustrated they’re waking up early and staying up late, but they’re not making it into the log. Between charging batteries, low power output & propagation, many aren’t even hearing KP5/NP3VI at all.
I know here I’ve waited for hours on the higher bands to make my call in the pileups. I’ve had to wait for that perfect “spotlight propagation” that favors Colorado several times. I’ve heard stations back east say they are 20 over and even with 8 elements on a 36′ boom on 10 Meters I couldn’t even sniff’m UNTIL that spotlight propagation and signal angle was on Colorado.
Anywho, we’ll see how this plays out for the next few weeks until they go QRT. I’ll see you in the human mode pileups! For those that take the lazy way, just set your automated computer scripts before you leave for your man-bun haircut appointment and maybe when you get home your text messenger software will tell you it worked them.
😉
Oh, one more thing. Congratulations to those cowardly imbeciles that have pirated my callsign in the CW and FT8 pileups. Your dupes and FT8 Q’s have cost other Hams several contacts. Your actions are knocking other Hams out of the box, not me. Way to go!
“Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery that mediocrity can pay to greatness”
8 bands in the log and already confirmed on LOTW! All CW and phone 🙂
This is how dxpeditions should be run, a nice balance of modes for all. Although already confirmed on LOTW I will be sending a pretty decent donation in appreciation.
rău FT8!
Stephan, lol! I had to look that up because I didn’t know if you were for or against FT8. The translation:
“Rău FT8” appears to be combining the Romanian word for “bad” or “evil” with “FT8,” a popular digital mode in amateur (ham) radio. The phrase often refers to the controversy or criticism surrounding the FT8 mode within the amateur radio community.
The “Rău” (Bad/Controversy) Aspect
The “bad” or controversial aspects of FT8 stem from the fact that its highly automated and structured nature has fundamentally changed how many hams operate. Common criticisms include:
Lack of Human Interaction: Critics argue it is “computers talking to computers,” as the software handles most of the contact, reducing the traditional conversational aspect of ham radio.
Dominance: FT8 has become so popular that it has reduced activity on traditional voice (SSB) and other digital frequencies, making some bands seem “ghost towns” by comparison.
Ease of Use vs. Skill: Some suggest that FT8 requires less technical skill in operating a station to make worldwide contacts compared to traditional modes”
Like you have said (and I agree): Rău FT8!
Thanks for stopping in!
N0UN
50 watts and simple antennas makes it hard to get in log from EU.
50 watts? More like 15 watts to a dummy load antenna from the video I watched. Here in the Pacific Northwest they are barely readable 99 percent of the time. A whisper at best. Band doesn’t matter it’s all the same. PR stations we hear calling are over 9 and whispers from KP5. A huge disappointment for almost all members of my local radio club.
Tnx for the info. Have been chasing them on 10m CW but no contact. The signal was barely there unfortunatly. I was just able to hear them. A solarstorm has just past, I expect propagation will rise in the next days. I will hopefully make it this time. I was unable to work K5D in 2009. 73, Bas
Hopefully you get them Bas! Happy New Year!
N0UN
Here’s the schedule I was talking about in the post above:
N0UN
From the KP5/NP3VI Facebook Group:
Desecheo DXpedition 2026 Update
Date/Time: January 19, 2026 18:25 UTC
OPERATING FORMAT CHANGE
Information from:
Otis, NP4G
DXpedition Leader & Coordinator
For the next week, we will be operating using a mode-based schedule to improve efficiency, increase our QSO rate, and provide a more predictable operating pattern for those trying to work KP5/NP3VI.
This pattern will repeat daily, beginning at 00:00 UTC. We will follow this pattern for this week completely. Please note that these plans may be subject to change based on solar conditions and operator recommendations. When possible, we will try to operate on the same bands to allow more stations to work Desecheo as uniques.
00:00–04:00 UTC — CW
CW operations to start the day.
04:00–05:00 UTC — CW (tonight) / FT8 or CW
Mode may vary depending on conditions.
06:00–09:00 UTC — QRT
Scheduled downtime.
09:00–12:00 UTC — FT8
Dedicated FT8 operations.
12:00–16:00 UTC — CW to Europe (higher bands)
Targeting EU propagation during this window.
16:00–18:00 UTC — QRT
Planned downtime during solar maximum to allow for battery recharging.
18:00–20:00 UTC — SSB (Phone)
20:00–24:00 UTC — FT8
FT8 operations to finish the day.
Power and Capacity Notes:
If propagation and solar charging conditions are favorable, we expect to be able to operate two FT8 radios simultaneously during FT8 periods.
This operating pattern is expected to remain in place for the next week. We appreciate feedback from the DX community and will make adjustments as needed based on results and conditions.
Milestone Update:
We are approaching 18,000 QSOs in the log. Thank you to everyone worldwide for your patience, support, and continued interest in the Desecheo activation.
73,
Steve N2AJ
Media Officer & Pilot
Desecheo DXpedition 2026
Photo Credit: WP4TZ
For more information, and to see our live station telemetry, visit our website:
https://desecheo2026.com/kp5/
ONLY 2 HOURS OF SSB FOR THE ENTIRE WORLD? NOT GOOD
Carlos,
I’m still trying to get my head around that. Luckily I’ve worked them on 3 bands Phone a few days ago.
Hope you work them!
N0UN
They were on 15 Meters SSB for several hours today
2 hours of SSB is pretty low. And why 10m over and over again? How about 12, 17…..some more 20?
Hey Lumpy,
I’m glad to have them on 3 modes…they were an ATNO for me. Thanks for the updates!!
Congratulations! Thanks for stopping in Danny!
N0UN
with all you said Wayne. Don’t know if they’ll follow the sked….and if they do….only a couple of hours a day for SSB. And of course, the majority of the time…..the dreaded AI mode….alias FT8. But at least they are working quite a decent amount of CW.
I need them on a bunch of the bands on SSB. I’ll just have to be patient. And even here in Alabama, your comment about “windows” for prop are spot on. When I saw them spotted on 15 ssb, I got excited. But then I went and listened….and I was too close….couldn’t here them. Heard YOU work em…..you were big!
73
Definitely “spotlight propagation” on the higher bands. They’ll come from nothing, become workable, then fade into the abyss. It’s actually kind of neat to witness, especially with local Hams in and around Denver. I got a phone call the other day, “I heard you work’m and I can’t hear them at all”! 20 minutes later the phone rings again and he says, “I got’m!”
All you can do is hunker down and be ready when they get into the “workable” zone.
N0UN
Lucky for you. They have never been workable on any band here in Washington State. I couldn’t figure out why I and nobody in my club is hearing them then I watched a video from the organizer. They are running 18 watts to dummy load verticals. No wonder. I like your blog. Keep it up.