Jan-Dec 2026

17 Grids of Glory (Satellite)


17 exotic grids activation over QO-100 bird, where 14 grids never activated before. We will have two stations operating for 2-3 days from each grids over the next year. Mode will be mainly SSB Phone, and some CW. If you need FT4 let us know in comment box below.

Location of some of these grids are extremely challenging due to boarder and hilly areas, or Sundarbans and swamp. Some of the grids we have to walk, use local dingy to access. 6 dark red marked grids we have to carry generator as well.

Comment (at the bottom) which grid you need.

TEAM MEMBERS

  • S21YLJ
  • S21AM
  • S21RC
  • S21FIA
  • S21HMX
  • S21MOB
  • S21RED
  • S21ACP
  • S21OM

GRID LIST

  • NL41 to NL46
  • NL51 to NL55
  • NL60 to NL65

DIFICULTIES

  • DARK RED: Extreme difficult (Hilly terrain/Sundarban)
  • LITE RED: Difficult (Costal area)
  • YELLOW: Hard (Very remote area)
  • BLUE: Cities – easy
  • GREEN: Home

QSL Policy:

Logs will be uploaded to LoTW as soon we return from each grid.

A very special two fold paper QSL card will be released for this event, QSL request will be handled by the S21DX team. Registered post cost between 4$-5$ to most European countries, Brazil and Canada. We request a minimum of 10 USD for OQRS including postage, paypal fee, QSL handling, remaining 1 or 2 USD would be used to compensate some expenditure of the event.

* All QSL card would be sent at the end of the events after all 17 grids are done – somewhere at the end of 2026. If you need the card before that (i.e. not waiting for other grids) let us know by email.

QSL card request instruction:
# Please do not send green stamp/IRC (will be lost in transit). Please use our OQRS system.
# Our operators would love to receive your QSL card, you may send that to their preferred QRZ address.

Request QSL card by OQRS

Support us to activate all 17 grids

With your support we can operate from more grids. Please consider making a small donation to fund the adventure through paypal or card. (JA station can paypal to fazlay.rabby-at-gmail.com)

UPDATES and NEWS

  • 11 Jan 2026: As we do not have a registered VAC application for two channel we made a Physical Audio cable using an USB sound card feeding back to the PC. S21FIA did few FT8 – audio level having issue (Headphone out feed to microphone in – need some level adjustment in hardware).
  • 10 Jan 2026: We have two station tested, S21FIA did CW while S21RC did some SSB Phone followed by S21ACP, S21HMX and S21MOB.
  • 7 Jan 2026: S21OM reported his DIY CNC spindle broken after making two antenna plate – third plate we have to go somewhere else to cut.
  • 6 Jan 2026: Third station SDR, LNA/Driver and LNB arrived – time to put it in a box.
  • 5 Jan 2026: Second station build complete – looks good on spectrum analyzer – test pending (too cold on the roof, 16 degree C, and that’s very cold for us here hi hi).
  • 1 Jan 2026: Log search added to the site. All logs of last few test run has been uploaded.
  • 31 Dec 2025: CW setup tested by S21FIA
  • 27 Dec 2025: One QO-100 station tested by S21FIA and S21HMX last night for few hours.
  • 27 Dec 2025: Second QO-100 station having RX issue.
  • Two sets of ground station DIY in progress.

SUPPORTED BY

Community support

DM4ET – Roy
F6BFH – Alain
S58J – Janez
DF2ET – Florian



Associated with

15 thoughts on “17 Grids of Glory”

  2. MI0ILE

    Hi bro, FT-4 will be very productive,since less time per QSO and a lot of wasting time QRM on SSB. On SSB best if you split for RX 10kHz listening UP from your original TX frequency. For CW 5kHz up.FT-4 also helps you to save energy from your generators or battery. On SSB periodically call stations outside Europe. Some of these stations are very weak due very low elevation to QO-100. It will be nice if someone of you already has LOTW account to help other brothers to open LOTW for smooth confirmation.

    Reply
    1. s21rc

      Hi OM,
      We will try to activate FT4 as well if there are demands. As the number of dx stations are limited on the bird (compared to HF hi hi) we are sure we can work all on phone mode in 1-2 days. Thanks. Rabby

      Reply
  3. John

    I need a QSO on 10M for a new band-country. I live near Chicago, and this is a challenging path on 10. My propagation program shows openings frequently are likely to be long path.
    I will be happy with a QSO from any of the grids you are planning to visit. FT4 or FT8 will be better if propagation is marginal, but CW or SSB are fine with me if the opening is good.

    Good luck with your operation!

    73, good DX, and Happy New Year from John, K9MM

    Reply
    1. s21rc

      Hi John, these activations will be only for QO-100 and some LEOs. We have a plan for AS-127 HF expedition in 2026 as well, hope to work you then. Happy new year. Rabby

      Reply
    1. Rabby

      Hi Phil,
      We will work on split. Initial rig/setup testing is being done from NL53. Once both station is ready and worked ok then we will move to other grids. Activation dates for each grid will be published in the website and dx-world.

      Wish you and family happy new year, 73s S21RC

      Reply
  6. Fotis

    Please try to work some digital modes also. FT4 or FT8 would be great. Happy New Year and good luck with your operation!

    Reply
  7. Yves Margot

    When working FTx plewase specify your grid on your page (call, date, locator) and confirm QSO on LOTW. Thanks a lot for all future activations. Best 73′ Yves, HB9AOF (JN36 and not JN46).

    Reply
  8. DL1EAL

    Hello S21DX Team,
    Thanks for your activities. S2 would be a new one for me on satellite, so I hope I will work you in any grid. Good luck and have a safe journey.
    Roland, DL1EAL

    Reply

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