Learn how you can help DXpeditioners provide laptops to benefit Tokelauans
Start preparing your stations for the upcoming activation of Tokelau!
The Perseverance DX Group (PDXG) and the Western Washington DX Club (WWDXC) plan to put this independent territory of New Zealand on the air Nov. 20 to Dec. 1, 2026, from Fakaofo Atoll (AI40). Tokelau is currently ranked #40 most wanted (#22 EU) by Clublog.
“The year 2026 marks the one hundredth anniversary of the New Zealand/Tokelau relationship. To commemorate this milestone the callsign ZK3ZL was requested,” per a press release from the Tokelau DXpedition team.
The international radio team will include OnAllBands blogger Violetta, KN2P, who was an operator on the October 2025 North Cook Islands E51MWA activation along with other members of the Tokelau group (Robin, WA7CPA; Rob, N7QT; and Brian, N9ADG). Other operators include Dave, K3EL; Ricardo, PY2PT; Glenn, KE4KY; Francesco, IK0FVC/HV0A; Jacky, F2CW/ZL3CW; Laci, HA0NAR; and Dave, WD5COV.
The team will be QRV on 160-6M in SSB, CW, and Digital.
Humanitarian Project
The press release also noted that the Tokelau team will be donating 20 laptops to the Council of Elders “to create a computer lab for the locals and help the Council better manage their day-to-day activities and processes. The team will be conducting basic computer instruction and training classes while on the island. The cost of the computer lab was borne by the team. We also plan to encourage several of the locals to get involved with amateur radio.”
Donations to cover shipping and the humanitarian project can be sent through the DXpedition’s website.
Read this article from Radio New Zealand about the activation and how the DXpeditioners will be passing on their technical knowledge to the Tokelauan people.
Seven Years of Inactivity
This will mark the first DXpedition to Tokelau since the 19-operator ZK3A team logged more than 52,000 QSOs in September/October 2019. DX Engineering provided equipment for ZK3A, including DX Engineering Foot Switches and a RPA-2 Modular Receive Preamplifier.
DX Engineering is also a proud sponsor of this latest activation of Tokelau. Here’s what has been provided to help give DXers an opportunity to log an ATNO before the end of the year:
- DX Engineering RG-8X 50-Ohm Bulk Coaxial Cable (1,000-foot rolls)
- DX Engineering Next Generation Crimp/Solder 8U and 8X PL-259 Connectors
- DX Engineering Heat Shrink Tubing
- DX Engineering RG-213U PL-259 Low-Loss 50-Ohm Coax Cable Assemblies
- DX Engineering Maxi-Core® 20 1:1 5kW Baluns
Other equipment provided by DX Engineering includes:
- Times Microwave Systems® LMR®-400 Bulk Coaxial Cable
- 12 Volt Power 5 Port DC Power Distribution Block
About Tokelau
Tokelau, formerly known as the Union Islands, consists of three tropical coral atolls in the South Pacific Ocean: Atafu, Nukunonu, and Fakaofo. The closest land to Tokelau is Swains Island, 112 miles south of Fakaofo. The nearest sovereign country and major population center is Samoa, which sits roughly 310 miles to the south. Tokelau is approximately 2,354 miles from New Zealand.
The islands have a combined land area of four square miles and a population estimated between 1,400 to 1,500 (based on local figures) and up to 2,600 (based on global projections). By some metrics, Tokelau has the world’s smallest economy, with a gross national product (based on fishing and agriculture) estimated at $1.5 million.
Tokelau also has the distinction of being the first country/dependency to run entirely on solar energy for its electricity. This was made possible thanks to the installation of more than 4,000 solar panels on the three atolls in 2012. Prior to this, electricity was produced through diesel generators which were available 16 hours a day. Read this article, “Island Nation Now Runs Entirely on Solar Power,” for more details.
QSL Cards
The active hams at DX Engineering have had great success contacting Tokelau over the years (a good reason to contact them for help with your gear if you’d like to do the same). Here are a few QSL cards from their collections.
Mark, W8BBQ, DX Engineering customer/technical support specialist, contacted ZK3T operating from Nukunonu in 2013. Nukunonu is the largest of Tokelau’s atolls (2.1 square miles, population of around 550).
Tom, KB8UUZ, DX Engineering technical writer, sent us this QSL card from the October 2014 ZK3E DXpedition.
Wayne, K8FF, DX Engineering customer/technical support specialist, pulled these Tokelau QSL cards from his collection:
Visit DXEngineering.com for everything you need to upgrade your station to make sure you’re ready when DXCC entities like Tokelau are on the air.
You’ll find transceivers, antennas; a wide selection of amplifiers from ACOM, OM Power, Icom, and others; CW keys and paddles; headsets and speakers; and much more.
Editor’s Note: Every month, DX Engineering features QSL cards from our team members’ personal collections. To highlight upcoming DXpeditions, we’ll be displaying a few of our favorite cards along with details about what it took to make these contacts. We’re excited to share some of the special cards pulled from the thousands we’ve received over the years. We look forward to seeing your cards as well!
The post DX Engineering Provides Gear for Rare Activation of Tokelau in 2026! appeared first on OnAllBands.
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