Into Bouvet with 3Y0K: Wolfgang HB9RYZ Takes on the Challenge of Radio’s Rarest Frontier

Remote, icy, and battered by the South Atlantic, Bouvet Island is often called the most isolated place on Earth. This Norwegian territory, located roughly halfway between South Africa and Antarctica, has long captured the imagination of amateur radio operators because of its extreme inaccessibility and status as one of the rarest DXCC entities. In February 2026, an international team of 24 operators will attempt the ambitious 3Y0K DXpedition, aiming to establish a multi-band, multi-mode presence from 10 to 160 meters. Their mission is not only to overcome the island’s brutal weather and logistical challenges, but to deliver a historic number of contacts to the global amateur radio community.

Among the dedicated team members is Wolfgang Sidler, HB9RYZ, CEO and Senior Security Consultant at SIDLER Information Security GmbH. Licensed since 1983 and known for his achievements in both HF and satellite operation, Wolfgang has returned to amateur radio with remarkable impact, activating 307 DXCC entities and operating Europe’s highest remote DX station. He plans to bring his extensive satellite expertise to Bouvet, with the goal of performing the island’s first-ever activation via the QO-100 satellite using SSB, FT8, and FT4. Equipped with redundant satellite systems and ready to support HF operations and IT needs, Wolfgang sees the DXpedition as the greatest adventure of his life — an opportunity to give operators worldwide a rare and unforgettable contact with Bouvet Island.