GB9IOW to Return to the Isle of Wight in 2026

A team of 7 to 8 Belgian radio amateurs will be active once again from the Isle of Wight from 28 April to 5 May 2026, using the special callsign GB9IOW.

This will be the team’s second activation from the island. Their first visit took place in 2018, when they operated as GB9OSA. The 2026 expedition promises to be a major activity, with operation planned on HF bands, the WARC bands, 6 metres, and in SSB, CW, and digital modes. The team also plans activity via QO-100 and on 23 cm moonbounce, adding even more interest for chasers across a wide range of bands and operating styles.

During the weekend of 2–3 May 2026, the group will also take part in the VHF/UHF contest using beams for 2 metres, 70 cm, and 23 cm. For Belgian stations, the operators will be listening especially on 40 m and 80 m on both days from 09:00 to 10:00 UTC and again from 19:00 to 20:00 UTC.

The Isle of Wight is one of England’s best-known islands and has long been a popular destination for portable and expedition operating. Located just off the south coast of England, it offers an attractive setting for radio activity and is always a welcome contact for island chasers.

This activation is also important for participants in the English Islands Rambler Award, as the Isle of Wight counts for the programme with the reference EIRA SS01. That makes GB9IOW an especially attractive station for those collecting valid English island references.

More information about the operation is available on QRZ.com under GB9IOW, and updates are expected on the team’s website at Ham Radio Expedition.

QSL arrangements have also been announced. For Belgian operators, it is enough to send a SAE with stamp to ON6EF. For European and international stations, QSL is preferred via bureau or direct, while Club Log and eQSL are also accepted. The team notes that LoTW and e-mail QSL requests will not be accepted. They also mention that the callsign GB9IOW was previously used in 2017 by another Belgian team, with ON3UN acting as QSL manager for that operation.

Sponsors are welcome, and for a contribution of €5, supporters will receive a direct QSL together with cards from the team’s past activations. Sponsors’ callsigns will also be acknowledged on the expedition website. Donations can be made via PayPal to on6ef1@gmail.com.

We wish Eddy ON6EF and the whole GB9IOW team every success for what promises to be an exciting return to the Isle of Wight, and we look forward to hearing them on the bands.