January 2026 DXpeditions: What's On the Air
A roundup of active and upcoming DXpeditions for January 2026, including the landmark KP5 Desecheo activation and operations from the Maldives, Kenya, Grenada, and more.
January 2026 is shaping up to be an exciting month for DXers, with several notable expeditions either on the air or coming soon. Here’s a roundup of what’s happening, with links to follow along.
KP5/NP3VI — Desecheo Island (Active Now!)
The big one. Desecheo Island (KP5) is currently the 14th most wanted DXCC entity worldwide and hasn’t been activated since K5D in 2009. The KP5/NP3VI team went QRV on January 12, 2026, and plans to stay on the air for 30 continuous days.
This is a landmark operation—the first Puerto Rican-led DXpedition to Desecheo in 48 years (since KP4AM/D in 1978). The team is using an innovative remote operating approach with two self-sustained Remote Deployment Units (RDUs) provided by the Manyana DX Foundation, operating via Remote Ham Radio (RHR) infrastructure.
Key details:
- Bands: 10m, 12m, 15m, 17m, 20m, 30m, 40m (160m added!)
- Modes: CW, SSB, FT8
- QSL: via M0OXO
- Livestream: Club Log Livestream
- Website: desecheo2026.com
The operation has received $10,000 in support from NCDXF and backing from INDEXA. As of January 15, they’re working through pileups with a focus on delivering ATNOs to as many operators as possible. European and southern hemisphere stations: keep trying—the team is aware of propagation challenges and is adjusting schedules.
8Q7EL & 8Q7JI — Maldives
Two separate operations from the Maldives this month:
8Q7EL — Alex, IW5ELA is active from Vaavu Atoll, January 19-26. Holiday-style operation on HF bands, mainly CW with an FT-857 and vertical antenna.
8Q7JI — Ji, DS1TUW is active from Dhaalu Atoll, January 18-24. Operating CW, SSB & FT8 on HF, and notably attempting the first ever POTA activation from the Maldives.
→ 8Q7EL at DX-World | 8Q7JI at DX-World
J38WG — Grenada
Rikk, J38WG is currently QRV from Grenada running SO3R (IC-7300MK2, IC-7300, IC-705). After resolving antenna issues, he’s active on CW and SSB with 160m attempts underway. A video interview with Ira, VP2EIH is available on the DX-World page.
5Z4/OZ6ABL — Kenya
Michael, OZ6ABL is QRV from the coastal town of Watamu, Kenya. After luggage delays (PSU and antenna arrived late), operations began January 17.
TY5GG — Benin
Gérard, F5NVF as TY5GG is active from Godomey, Bénin for the next 4 months. Operating mostly CW & FT8 on 80-10m with an 807 UL Dipole and Spiderbeam. QSL via LoTW only.
CE7 & CE8/SP5APW — Chile
Jacek, SP5APW is active from Chiloe Island (SA-018) January 14-18 and possibly Tierra del Fuego (SA-008) January 23-24. Modes are FT8 & SSB on 20-6m using a BuddiHEX and 4-ele Yagi for 6m.
Coming Up: J51A — Guinea Bissau
A team of five German operators (Ben DA1DX, Win DK9IP, Andy DL8LAS, Uli DM5EE, Lutz DM6EE) are planning activity from Bijagos Archipelago (AF-020), Guinea-Bissau as J51A during February/March 2026. Exact dates TBA.
Stay Updated
For the latest DXpedition news, propagation updates, and real-time activity, bookmark DX-World.net—they provide excellent coverage of expeditions worldwide and publish a free weekly bulletin packed with DX news.
Good luck in the pileups!