After reading about the recent major DXpeditions like TX5S Clipperton Island with operations on 160-6 meters, SSB, CW, RTTY, FT8, 6m EME, and Satellites, I'm curious about current equipment trends. The S21DX team preparation includes assembling antennas, testing equipment, and ensuring the proper setup for a 5KW generator.

What I'm seeing is more emphasis on high power and gain antennas on as many bands as practical, to achieve a loud signal worldwide and keep control of the inevitable pileups. Operators may also receive and transmit on different frequencies, called split operation. Are QRP operations from rare DX locations becoming obsolete?

As one famous DXpeditioner has noted "you have to be loud." Good antennas are an important factor in being able to work the smaller stations, and as much power as permitted should be used.

This is where the clever QRPer can often steal a QSO from the QRO stations. QRP DXpeditions still work - you just need better operating technique and antenna placement. Not everyone needs to run legal limit to be effective from rare locations.

The recent S21DX team tested their K9AY receive loop antenna on 80m and performed successful QSOs with a 1/4 wave vertical antenna. Good receive antennas matter as much as transmit power. I'd rather have excellent ears than just big amplifiers.

From a practical standpoint, generators are usually used because of the power requirements for amplifiers and the ease of refueling versus recharging a battery. Logistics drive most equipment decisions on DXpeditions - fuel is easier to transport than massive battery banks.