YASME Foundation
Non-profit supporting DXpeditions and amateur radio in underdeveloped countries.
The Yasme Foundation is a nonprofit based in Castro Valley, California. It runs scientific and educational initiatives tied to amateur radio—particularly long-distance communication (DXing)—and works to introduce and promote amateur radio in developing countries.
The foundation was created in 1960 and took its name from the yacht *Yasme*, which Danny Weil sailed on DXpeditions to remote locations, often becoming the first person to operate amateur radio from those spots. Its early role was to raise funds for Weil’s trips and manage the distribution of his QSL cards. Weil was among the first to travel to multiple destinations, frequently alone in a sailboat, hauling hundreds of pounds of radio gear to give DXers a “new one.” After Weil retired from amateur radio, the foundation partnered closely with the expeditions of Lloyd and Iris Colvin. The Colvins modernized the DXpedition in the 1970s and 1980s, operating from more than 100 countries using contemporary transport and state-of-the-art equipment.
The foundation also presents the Yasme Trophy and the Yasme Plaque to anyone who submits QSL cards confirming contacts with 30 different callsigns belonging to Yasme officers, directors, or operations.
Quick Facts
- Formation
- 1960
- Headquarters
- Castro Valley, CA, United States
- Leader Title
- President and Director
- Leader Name
- Ward Silver
- Revenue
- $23,079
- Revenue Year
- 2016
- Expenses
- $40,648
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The foundation was established in 1960 and named after the legendary yacht Yasme, the boat that carried Danny Weil on DXpeditions to many remote places from which he operated amateur radio, sometimes for the first time. Initially the main purpose of the Yasme Foundation was to help raise money for Weil's expeditions and to organize the distribution of his QSL cards. He was one of the first to travel to more than one location to operate, and to travel from place to place, often solo in a sailboat and lugging hundreds of pounds of radio equipment, specifically to provide DXers with a ‘new one’. When he retired from amateur radio, the foundation closely cooperated with the radio expeditions of Lloyd and Iris Colvin. The Colvins perfected the DXpedition and took it into the modern age in the 1970s and 1980s, with operations from more than 100 countries, using modern transport methods and state of the art radio equipment.
Reader's Guide
The Yasme Foundation's significance lies in its role as a pioneering organizational force behind amateur radio DXpeditions. It began by supporting Danny Weil's solo voyages aboard the yacht Yasme, which brought amateur radio to remote locations for the first time. The foundation's work in raising funds and managing QSL card distribution enabled these early expeditions. Later, it cooperated with Lloyd and Iris Colvin, who modernized the DXpedition concept, operating from over 100 countries with advanced equipment. The foundation's legacy includes the Yasme Trophy and Yasme Plaque, awarded to those who submit QSL cards showing contacts with 30 different callsigns of Yasme officers, directors, or operations. Through its scientific and educational projects, the foundation continues to promote amateur radio in underdeveloped countries, maintaining its original mission of expanding global communication reach.
Did You Know?
- The foundation is named after the yacht Yasme, which carried Danny Weil on DXpeditions.
- Danny Weil often traveled solo in a sailboat carrying hundreds of pounds of radio equipment.
- The foundation later cooperated with Lloyd and Iris Colvin, who operated from more than 100 countries.
- The Yasme Trophy and Yasme Plaque are awarded for contacts with 30 different Yasme callsigns.
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