CB0ZA CB0ZEW Robinson Crusoe Island. From DXNews.com

CB0ZA, CB0ZEW will be active from Robinson Crusoe Island, IOTA SA – 005, Juan Fernandez Archipelago, Chile,10 – 24 February 2024.
Team – XQ1KZ, XQ3SA, XQ3SK, AB5EB, HI3R, NP4G, HA1AG, N5KO, W8HC, AD5A.
Recent DX Spots CB0ZA
CB0ZA Log searchSearchCB0ZEW Log searchSearchRecent DX Spots CB0ZEW
They will operate on 160 – 2m, CW, SSB, RTTY, FT8, and EME on 6 and 2m.
QSL for CB0ZA via HA1AG.
QSL for CB0ZEW via N2OO.

CB0ZA CB0ZEW Robinson Crusoe Island News 17 January 2024

January 17, 2024: CB0ZA DXpedition announces NexGenRiB remote operation from Robinson Crusoe Island

The CB0ZA DXpedition is pleased to announce that the operation by the 7 member on-island team will be complimented by an off-island team of over 30 remote operators from around the world. They will be using a NexGenRiB (Radio in a Box) on FT8 and CW with the callsign CB0ZEW.

The NexGenRiB was developed by Gregg, W6IZT, with assistance from Warren, KD4Z and John N4IHV. No bigger than a small suitcase and weighing just 12 kilos, the RiB is easily managed by one person. Hal, W8HC will be transporting the NexGenRiB as carry-on baggage from West Virginia to Robinson Crusoe Island where it will be accessed by the remote operators via Starlink Satellite Internet.

Gregg says that discussions about the need for a smaller RiB for use by DXpeditions began about a year ago when it became clear that a smaller RiB could address a broader set of use-cases at a lower cost. The NexGenRib is designed to support both local and remote operation, be all-mode, simple to deploy, and no more difficult to operate than your home station.

“We’re thankful to the CB0ZA team for the opportunity to participate on this DXpedition. We’ve put a good deal of effort into designing and building a solution that is flexible and robust, one that can be utilized by remote and local operators as needed,” states Gregg, W6IZT.

The DXpedition made the decision to use the different call sign (CB0ZEW) for two reasons. First, it is a way to commemorate the DXpedition’s organizer Marco Quijada, CE1EW who became a silent key in November. The second reason is to distinguish the DXpedition’s remote CB0ZEW QSOs from the on-island contacts CB0ZA QSOs. Because the remote CB0ZA contacts will NOT count for IOTA under current rules in the IOTA program the team felt the easiest way to manage this issue and honor IOTA’s requirements would be by simply operating the remote RiB with a different call sign.

The team hopes to have the CB0ZEW NexGenRiB QRV as quickly as possible at their Island accommodations where they are staying in the harbor town of San Juan Batista.

“Our goal is to have the remote operators make CB0ZEW QSOs during the estimated 1.5 – 2 days it will take our team to prepare the DXpedition sites up on the mountain. Once we get everything in place on top, we will move the RiB up on top as well. But we see this as a very good opportunity to make contacts almost immediately once we arrive,” says team member Otis, NP4G.

For operators trying to work the DXpedition on FT8, please note that the CB0ZEW remote station will be using WSJT-X running Fox/Hound mode while the CB0ZA FT8 on-island stations will be running MSHV software.

CB0ZA Robinson Crusoe Island News 13 January 2024

The CB0ZA DXpedition to Robinson Crusoe Island (Juan Fernandez, #58 on ClubLog’s Most Wanted List) set for February 10-24 cleared a major hurdle today (Friday, January 12, 2024). The DXpedition’s Chilean logistics leader Guillermo, XQ3SA reports that our team’s two air freight shipments sent out of Miami last month have cleared Chilean customs and are now at the port in Valparaiso and scheduled for shipment by cargo vessel out to the Island.

Our initial plans called for a single shipment made up of the DXpedition’s station / antenna equipment, most of which was generously supplied by DX Engineering, together with our NA team member’s personal belongings. Since each team member is restricted to 10 kilograms (22 pounds) baggage on the charter flight from Santiago to Robinson Crusoe Island, we planned to take our personal gear to the scheduled December preparation meeting in Florida and leave there to be shipped via sea container from Florida to Chile. This shipment was to be sent down to Chile and added to other essential items being sourced in Chile. These essential items included tents, generators, power cabling and infrastructure, tables, chairs, mast pipes, guy stakes, rope, tools, fuel containers, etc. Everything together was then to be transported by the commercial supply ship that runs every two weeks from Valparaiso to Robinson Crusoe Island. This is the primary supply ship to the Island’s 900 inhabitants isolated from the mainland by 675km of Pacific Ocean.

As you may recall, DXpedition leader and organizer Marco Quijada, CE1EW tragically became a silent key back in November and the continuation of the project was in doubt. Some member of the team made the decision to proceed with the project in celebration and honor of Marco’s memory. Unfortunately, because of the delay, we would not be able to make our sea shipment deadline. Our only other option was to arrange shipment from Florida by costly air freight. This resulted in a significant, unanticipated addition to the original DXpedition budget.

To compound matters, another issue arose when we learned we could not send our clothing and other “soft” items along in the same air freight shipping crate with the station gear due to the quarantine requirements and strict bio-security protocols enforced by Chilean officials. These protocols are primarily as a measure to protect Chile’s agricultural industry, but because of these strict regulations governing certain types of shipments into Chile, we were required to make a second air freight shipment… again adding unexpectedly to the DXpedition budget.

It should be noted too that Chile imposed import taxes / fees on our shipments, another additional expense that we had not accounted for. So at this time we are appealing to DXers who have not lent support to the CB0ZA DXpedition to please consider making a donation. We will certainly appreciate anything you can do to help the cause. Our PayPal address is: donate@cb0za.com

Finally, a couple quick reminders– Mike, AB5EB will be operating 6m EME from CB0ZA and will certainly take advantage of any possible 6m F2 terrestrial openings using his legal limit station into an M2 6M8GJ yagi. DXpedition plans include participation in the ARRL International CW DX Contest and also having a dedicated Radio in a Box (RIB) Station during the operation (more information to follow in our next update). Also, we will be using ClubLog’s Livestream and Leaderboard during the DXpedition.

Meanwhile, please check our website for updates and other relevant DXpedition information. Team member Steve, N2IC and his XYL have done an outstanding job resurrecting and updating the CB0ZA website: cb0za.com — check it out. Also, you can find information on the CB0ZA QRZ.compage. Inveterate POTA aficionado James, KB2FMH has worked his magic and updated our QRZ page with a “new look”… check it out as well: CB0ZA Callsign Page

We will provide at least two more updates before departing for Santiago on February 7. These will include our final station arrangements and band plans. Stay tuned and thank you for your support.

73 de CB0ZA Team

CB0ZA Robinson Crusoe Island News 3 December 2023

December 3, 2023: CB0ZA DXpedition Provides Updated Plans and Mourns the Loss of Marco Quijada, CE1EW
As many of you may know, our CB0ZA DXpedition team leader Marco Quijada, CE1EW passed away suddenly and unexpectedly becoming a “Silent Key” last month. Marco was a much respected and revered member of our amateur community, not only in Chile but also internationally. He had been actively involved in Chile as a highly accomplished and successful DXpeditioner, IOTA participant and contester for the past 30 years.
As such, the CB0ZA team extends its deepest condolences to Marco’s family and friends during this difficult time. He will certainly be missed by all who knew and loved him.
In spite of this tragic loss, some of the remaining CB0ZA team members remain dedicated to the original mission plan. After carefully considering the impending options and obstacles that Marco was dealing with coordinating the DXpedition, it was determined that some members of the team will honor Marco’s memory. They have made the difficult decision to press forward with the expedition. It is now the team’s goal to make Marco Quijada’s passion, expertise, and contributions to the team be forever remembered as the cornerstone of this, Marco’s “last” DXpedition project.
Understandably, because of their close personal connection to Marco, some of the team members have opted off the team. Rather than having a 10 member team, plans have changed and CB0ZA will consist of 7 very experienced operators moving forward to put Juan Fernandez on air next February. They been working tirelessly to reconnect with Marco’s leads in order to make this a successful event. The “new” team includes: Otis, NP4G; Ez, HI3R/NK4DX; Dercel, XQ3SK; Mike, AB5EB; Mike, AD5A; Hal, W8HC and Steve, N2IC.
Guillermo, XQ3SA, who was a member of the on-island team, will now serve as our point of contact for equipment logistics and transportation in Chile. Bob, N2OO will serve as QSL Manager for the DXpedition.
The North America team members will meet next week in Florida for (December 7-10, 2023) at the QTH of AD4ES for final planning and equipment testing. Flights have been secured to and from Juan Fernandez. They will be on the air using special call K4Z for testing of the equipment. If you hear us, make sure to give us feedback.
Following our Florida meeting, we will be finishing the equipment shipment to Chile and finalizing operating strategies. The current flight from Chile to Juan Fernandez provides limited cargo capacities so equipment will be prioritized and it could potentially affect our original plan. Our original dates were February 13-20. We are happy to inform that our new operation dates of February 10-24, 2024, thus providing more on the air opportunities to our DX community.
Unfortunately, with Marco’s passing, we are unable to access the CB0ZA website. With time now being a factor, we have made the decision to utilize QRZ com, our Facebook Group and DX News sources to provide further updates. Stay tuned.
With all the recent events, our expenses have increased and we kindly ask the DX community to support us in this endeavor by donating to donate@cb0za.com (Paypal)
In the spirit of unity and remembrance, the CB0ZA Team invites the public to join in commemorating Marco Quijada’s legacy and celebrating the achievements of the DXpedition. The team remains focused on the goal of making this project a reality. Now more than ever we will honor our friend Marco by bringing him with us in our hearts to his last DXpedition to Juan Fernandez.

CB0ZA Robinson Crusoe News 16 October 2023

The CB0ZA team is happy to announce a new operator joining our team. Mike Crownover, AD5A is our newest team member.

From Texas, along with his son Mike AB5EB, is excited to participate on this trip with his son and other team members. An avid IOTA Activator, Contester and DXer, Mike brings experience to our team and we are happy to welcome him aboard.

North America operators will meet December 7-10 in Florida at the AD4ES QTH for equipment testing. This is an opportunity where we will be testing the radio equipment and antennas preparing for our upcoming shipment of equipment down to Chile.

Team members, N5KO, W8HC, NP4G, AB5Eb, AD5A and HI3R (NK4DX) will meet at the QTH of Chuck AD4ES. All of our gear has been constantly arriving in Florida and is now waiting at a storage facility until this day. This will be a great opportunity to for members to meet each other and start discussing advance planning and strategies.

CB0ZA Robinson Crusoe Island News 22 August 2023

CB0ZA plans are way underway. We are happy to announce a new addition to our team. Hal W8HC as decided to join us for our expedition. Hal bring a lot of knowledge and expertise for Dxpeditions.
First licensed in 1967 but didn’t became active as a DXer until the mid-1980’s. He is #1 DXCC Honor Roll with 350 entities confirmed and 10-band DXCC. Hal enjoys being on the DX side of the pileup participating in several DXpeditions over the past 11 years including: NH8S, VK9WA, K5P, VP6R, 3Y0Z and KL7RRC. In the past year he was on the K7K activation of Kiska Island, JW0A, 9G4X, VP5/W8HC, KH8RRC and one of the remote members of the recent VP6A Ducie DXpedition using the Radio in a Box (RIB) technology. In addition to DXpeditions, he has operated from several locations locations around the world including 6 CQWW Contests from 4X. Hal currently serves as the Secretary-Treasurer of INDEXA.
We are happy to have him on the team and welcome him
CB0ZA team

Robinson Crusoe Island Lost in the Pacific Ocean

Robinson Crusoe Island is the largest island of the Juan Fernández Archipelago, lying in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Chile. With a total area of 144 square kilometers, the island is 23 kilometers long and 8 kilometers wide. The island has about 630 inhabitants, most of them concentrated in San Juan Bautista on the north coast. The local economy is based on lobster fishing and the tourist business. Despite poor infrastructure, lack of sandy beaches and rather cool water for swimming, hundreds of tourists come to the island, impressed by the novel “Robinson Crusoe”, whose character survived here. The easiest way to get to the island is by plane in a few hours or by sea, but it takes more than a day.

Robinson Crusoe, Juan Fernandez Archipelago. Author – Rita Willaert.

The famous story of the surviving sailor

The island was discovered by Spanish colonizers and was first named Juan Fernandez after the captain of a Spanish ship that arrived here in 1574. The Spanish brought pets, cats and goats to the island, but then lost interest in the open land and the island remained uninhabited for a long time.

In 1704, due to a conflict with the ship’s captain, a Scottish sailor, Alexander Selkirk, was left on the island, which existed here for more than four years. It was he who became the prototype of the main character in Daniel Defoe’s famous novel Robinson Crusoe. It is the name of this character that now officially bears the name of the island. The territory of Robinson Crusoe Island many times became a haven for pirates, who used it as a base for recreation, recovery ships and replenishing supplies of provisions and fresh water. The Spanish colonizers of the island in 1749 had to build the stone fort of Santa Barbara with cannons for defense against the pirates. It was the English pirates who rescued Sailor Selkirk from forced solitude on the island. Selkirk sailed with them for a while, raiding the ships of enemy nations, then returned home and became famous for telling his story of survival.

During World War I, a brief but famous naval battle involving the German armored cruiser Dresden and the British ships Kent and Glasgow took place near the island. The German ship sank and her crew was sent to Chile. The shipwreck itself is still the object of interest of numerous divers.

CB0ZA DX Pedition Robinson Crusoe Island, Juan Fernadez Archipelago Logo.

An island rich in natural gifts

Robinson Crusoe Island is characterized by mountainous terrain, its highest point Mount Junke, rises to 1 thousand meters above sea level. Climate here is quite mild, the average annual temperature ranges between +12 °С … +19 °С. Sometimes the idyll of the weather is broken by strong tsunamis and hurricanes from the ocean. Lowlands of the island are savannah with thickets of tree ferns and palm groves. The mountains are covered by forests that are threatened by human activities and strong winds. The island is home to many endemic plants, including the unique Chonta palm and the Nalka tree. The lands of the island are quite fertile, there are sources of fresh water in the form of clean streams flowing from the ground. The coastal waters are inhabited by turtles, sea lions, lobsters, seals and numerous schools of fish. The island has such a mild climate and a variety of natural gifts that it is not surprising that Sailor Selkirk was able to remain here for more than four years. Goats still live on the island, which were brought here by the first Spanish colonists back in 1563.

Robinson Crusoe, Juan Fernandez Archipelago. Author – Lukas Mekis.

Hospitable to tourists and scholars

Hotels have been built on the island for tourists who come here inspired by the story of Robinson Crusoe. Visitors to the island visit the cave, protected by nature from the piercing sea winds and precipitation, where legend has it that Sailor Selkirk lived, and the lookout hill from which he surveyed the ocean to watch for the long-awaited appearance of ships on the horizon. Postcards of the island are popular with tourists. For a beach vacation the island is not much, but tourists can try sport fishing, scuba diving, snorkeling and swimming to see the wreck of the German ship “Dresden” sunk in Cumberland Bay during World War I. The locals are friendly and welcoming. The island is famous for the tradition of greeting every person you meet on the street.

CB0ZA. Where is Robinson Crusoe Island located. Map.