• [UPDATE]

Team member Nobby G0VJG updates to say that the expedition was almost over before it had really started. This morning (local) their boat transport development an engine fault meaning the whole trip to EU-118 was in jeopardy. Thankfully, after a lot of searching and phoning about, they have secured a new boat (fast RIB) and as at 1200z today aim to leave soon for the islands.

Nobby also mentions the weather forecast for the coming days is not good, particularly into the weekend so this may cause some issues. At the moment there is a weather window for a landing later today. 

Update(s) to follow..

  • [JULY 31] – 

The weather has recently been good within the area of the Flannan islands. The team inform they’ve received the OK from boat skipper for a crossing to Flannan’s on 1st August, returning on the 4th or 5th. One of the team, Jamie M0SDV, will also have APRS live for as long as he has a phone signal (search M0SDV). 

Meanwhile, click the image below to watch a video showing the Flannan islands in all her glory.

  • [JULY 21] –

John, G4IRN – one of the MM0UKI team members – recently gave a presentation on the upcoming activation of IOTA EU-118. Check it out below.

As an aside, in 2010, DX-World’s Col MM0NDX together with five other ops (all formed team MS0INT) managed to land this rare IOTA and transmit for 3 full days. Therefore, I was only too happy to try pass on some finer details to help team MM0UKI have a successful activation. For interest’s sake, to all readers of DX-World, here’s the info passed on in a little gallery format. GL to the team – it’s sure to be an eagerly anticipated activity. 

  • [MAY 14] –

A team of five UK ops will attempt to activate MM0UKI from the Flannan Islands EU-118 in August. The uninhabited island group is 20 miles (32km) west of the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides. It is 6th ‘most wanted’ IOTA in Europe and 2nd in the UK (after Rockall).

The team consists of Rockall DXpedition veteran Nobby G0VJG, John G4IRN, Paul G4PVM, Mike GM5AUG and Jamie M0SDV. The ferry tickets have been booked from Ullapool (mainland Scotland) to Lewis and a private charter boat will take the team to Flannan.

The trip is weather dependent – departure to the island is planned for 1st August, with the 2nd being a contingency day. Activity will be on 40m to 6m SSB and CW from three stations and will continue until the first available weather window for departure on 4th August or thereafter.

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  • [MAY 11 – initial breaking news] –

Team MM0UKI (5 ops) will be active from the Flannan Islands, EU-118 (Scotland) beginning August 1st and staying for 48-72 hours. Island is very weather / seas dependent. Plan to QRV with 3 stations; Hexbeam + wire antennas; including 2 x QRO stations. Bands: 40-6m; CW & SSB – no FT8. QSL via M0OXO.

*Originally created by DX-World, download the larger size image of the Flannan Islands MM0UKI header picture here.