Expedition Location
The HD8G DXpedition operated from two strategic locations on Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos Islands.
Santa Cruz Island - Galapagos
Santa Cruz Island is the second-largest island in the Galapagos archipelago and home to Puerto Ayora, the largest city in the islands. The island is known for its unique wildlife, pristine beaches, and stunning natural beauty.
The HD8G team strategically chose two different locations on Santa Cruz Island to maximize operational efficiency and provide diverse propagation paths for amateur radio communications.
Site 1: Steve's Chalets
Accommodation Details
Location
Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos
Hosts
Steve and Yenny Devine
Purpose
Hosted part of the HD8G team during the expedition
Steve and Yenny provided valuable support and generosity, offering comfortable accommodations and logistical support throughout the expedition. Their contribution was essential to the success of the DXpedition.
📡 Propagation Advantage
Strategic location provided excellent propagation paths to North America and Europe. Multiple HF stations operated simultaneously with diverse antenna arrays.
Operational Setup
Dual Site Strategy
By operating from two different locations, the team could run multiple stations on the same band in different modes simultaneously. This strategy maximized QSO opportunities and provided diverse propagation paths.
Antenna Placement
Both sites featured strategically placed antennas including HF arrays, verticals, and specialized antennas for low bands (160m, 60m). The team worked with hotel and accommodation staff to safely install and operate these antennas.
Internet Connectivity
Internet connectivity was crucial for coordinating operations between the two sites via VPN. However, instability presented challenges that required creative solutions and manual coordination.
Operating Hours
The team maintained continuous operations from April 18-27, 2025, with 8 stations running HF full-time, plus additional satellite and EME operations. Operations ended at 11:00 PM UTC on April 26, 2025.
The Galapagos Experience
Beyond the radio operations, the team experienced the unique beauty and biodiversity of Galapagos. The islands provided a profound lesson about coexistence between humans and wildlife.
Galapagos is a place where men respect animals and where animals do not fear men. Both co-exist in the same environment without violent behaviors. It is amazing to be near wild animals and have them stare at you as if you were just another part of the scenario. They simply do not run or try to hurt you.
This unique environment, combined with the camaraderie of the team and the support of local hosts, created an unforgettable expedition that transcended amateur radio and became a celebration of international friendship and natural wonder.