PRESS RELEASE
February 21, 2015
From KP1-5 Project
The K1N DXpedition team has only been home a few days, but we are slowly recovering from what was a difficult project. It was over too soon considering that it took 15 years to gain permission, plan and execute the DXpedition. The DX world is very complimentary of our results...140,000 QSOs and over 30,000 uniques. This is especially impressive when you consider that we had only had 14 active operators, seven HF radios, five small amplifiers and only four small beams. Many of our QSOs were made barefoot and with dipoles hanging very high on the lighthouse on Navassa. This is what we called a MVC (Minimum Viable Configuration) necessitated by the use of helicopters for primary transport.
We have many to thank. The USFWS for allowing our operation after 22 years off-the-air. The terrific team of USFWS officers and biologists who accompanied us and became part of our team. Our sponsors, both equipment and financial, our team of radio pilots, our helicopter crew of Danilo, Nelson and JC, the staff of Moxon's Beach Club, the staff at Ian Fleming Intl. Airport and our new friends, the Haitian fishermen at Navassa. When we departed, they received gifts from us of gasoline, clean water, clothing, food and other items. Hopefully, this will help them in their difficult and dangerous existence.
Lastly, we want to recognize and thank a group of 1943 DXers. These people heard and responded to our plea for financial support prior to our DXpedition through January 31, 2015 as this was when the majority of our considerable expenses occurred. Last night, these special and generous people had their QSOs with K1N uploaded to LoTW (Logbook of The World). This service was NOT a condition of their contribution, but comes as a completed surprise.
Thanks to you all for a memorable experience!
73, The KP1-5 Project
Bob-K4UEE- President
Glenn-WØGJ-Vice President
Mike-NA5U-Secretary
www.navassadx.com
19 February 2015
@2139Z
OQRS (Online QSL Request Service) is now up and working. Go to the "Am I in the Log?" menu button above (and on any K1N web page), enter your callsign and click the "Request QSL" button below your list of QSOs.
15 February 2015
@1500Z
K1N went QRT at 1130Z Sunday, February 15th.
The last helicopter flight left the island at 1500Z with the last three team members who over-nighted to keep stations QRV until the last possible moment. There was an excellent opening to Asia/Oceania almost all day and all night during the last 24 hours.
All team members are back safe, healthy and happy in Jamaica.
All logs have been uploaded to ClubLog with 138,409 contacts with an amazing 35,702 unique call signs! Statistics can be seen on ClubLog.
We really want to thank everyone for standing-by while we worked those areas with short propagation windows. The Jamaica Amateur Radio Association members provided valuable support for all phases of our operation.
For QSL information, click the "QSL Info" tab on any K1N Navassa website page. Refresh often.
73, Glenn WØGJ
For the KP1-5 Project
13 February 2015
@1456Z
The rules for ATNO days:
DEFINITION: ATNO = ALL TIME NEW ONE
This means that you have NOT YET worked K1N on ANY BAND or ANY MODE. They WILL have the log at their fingertips, so please do NOT call them if you already worked them.
Only call K1N as per their announcement. They may be calling specific areas.
There will be TWO ATNO operations:
SATURDAY, Feb 14, will be WORLDWIDE ATNO DAY on 20M SSB between 1300-2400Z. 14.240 (plus/minus) will be our transmit frequency, listen for instructions. ONLY ATNO stations will be logged.
FRIDAY Feb 13 AND SATURDAY Feb 14 will be TWO JA, ASIA AND OCEANIA ATNO DAY operations on 15 meter SSB between 2200-2400Z. Transmit frequency 21205 + or -. ONLY JA-ASIA-OCEANIA ATNO stations will be logged. Times MAY be extended.
The 20 meter operation will have a worldwide focus. The two 15 meter slots were selected to help our friends in deep Asia and Oceania who have not been able to work K1N have a realistic chance to work Navassa for an all-time new one.
Other band operations will be occurring during these activities, and they will not be ATNO operations. But let's be fair at this point to make sure that the little pistols have a chance. It will be a VERY long time before Navassa comes back on the air.
Be aware that the team is beginning to dismantle, and prepare for final departure on Sunday. Some operators have already left.
See ya' in the Pileups!
Bob Schenck, N2OO
Chief Pilot, K1N - Navassa DXpedition
@1355Z
A storm is brewing within the next two-three days.
Everything that needed re-loading onto "Electra" has been finished. Mike NM6Z, Tomi KT4TTT & George AA7JV are safely on "Electra" and will be leaving Lulu Bay within the next few hours to get out of the way of the storm. High seas are expected, but this will not affect helicopter off-loading, except for maybe a passing squall.
The 6M station and antenna are now packed.
There will be one helicopter flight today to carry back camp construction supplies and unneeded items. Two people will be on that flight, leaving ten men on Navassa.
We expect full radio operation to continue until daybreak Saturday, when the SteppIRs will be taken down and all stations packed except for the three that will remain on the air until daybreak Sunday.
Saturday we expect three helicopter flights out by the end of the day. Left behind will be Craig K9CT, Jerry WB9Z & Glenn WØGJ to man the stations. Their personal gear will already be off the island. The only thing to do Sunday morning is to pack the radios and take down the dipoles, as the helicopter will arrive early Sunday morning for the last flight.
Maybe some of this is a repeat, but the "evacuation plan" is looking good. We've had so much fun and wish we could stay....but we all want some REAL showers and a REAL bed....and to see our families!!!
Even with 125,000+ QSOs it is amazing that the pileups yesterday were almost as fierce as the very first couple of days.
73, Glenn WØGJ
@0010Z
SATURDAY, Feb 14, will be ATNO (All Time New One) DAY on 20M SSB between 1300-2400Z and also on two 15M stations directed at ATNO contacts in Asia and Oceania.
14.240 (plus/minus) will be our transmit frequency, listen for instructions. ONLY ATNO stations will be logged.
Saturday will be our leaving day and we'll have three stations on after day break, but not always manned before the last helicopter flight leaves Saturday -- but the 20M ATNO station will be on continously except for helicopter arrival/departure. After the last flight on Saturday, all three remaining stations will be on until daybreak Sunday when we go QRT.
Still in full swing with 120,000+ Qs in the log. Everyone is healthy, good spirits, and well-fed with MREs..... Pileups still huge, no let-up in sight!
Will be full-steam until late Friday, when first helicopter flight leaves with two people and mostly cargo used for camp construction.
Full op schedule until Saturday dawn when SteppIRs come down. Planning three outbound flights Saturday, leaving three people overnight with three radios and wire antennas. They leave early Sunday morning to vacate the island.
Hard to believe finish is in sight....wish it could go on, but will be good to be home with families!
73, Glenn WØGJ
@0106Z
FLASH! We'll be on 75M SSB tonight transmitting on 3730kHz. Check out spots for where we'll be listening; we plan to be on all night...
10 February 2015
@1304Z
We are just now shy of 96,000 Qs and should top 100K this afternoon. Everyone still healthy and in good spirits. Pileups CONTINUE to be fierce. Very little slow down at all. Still walls of Europe....and we work them until the bands close. We really thank everyone for standing by while we work our propagation windows, especially to Japan. The low bands have been good until last night when the QRN levels were very high....then at dawn a storm came through.
Our last helicopter supply flight arrives within the hour with the last of the needed water and gasoline.....and will remove our empties and garbage.
In the next day or two when the weather forecast is known better, we will probably have our first flight out with supplies either Friday night or early Saturday morning. We must vacate the island Sunday. Overnight Saturday, we hope to keep at least 4, maybe 5, stations on the air and QRT at sunrise Sunday.
We have been eating MREs and, in fact, the ones we have are quite good. We won't know how to eat in a restaurant unless the food is delivered in a little bag. Very handy, no dishes!
Courtesy of DokuFunk, click HERE for a link to an interview this morning with Glenn WØGJ by Wolf OE1WHC via satphone directly from Navassa island.
Here is some information from that interview:
We have 83,000 Qs in the log.
We'll likely be in "full-swing" through Friday evening with our first load of gear leaving the island.
We'll be on the air all day Saturday and through the night.
On Sunday morning at dawn we must QRT; some of the team will already be in Jamaica.
@1154Z
It's not all about the pileups on Navassa Island. Our youth pilot, Brandon KF5NYQ who is 11 years old, recently received his DXCC -- and before working K1N! Read about it HERE.
8 February 2015
@1438Z
BEAUTIFUL day in the neighborhood this morning. Fantastic sunrise, no clouds. Stars were the brightest I've ever seen last night.
Have over 70,000 Qs in log at sunrise. This is about our half-way point. The pileups never thin out except when the bands close. We appreciate everyone standing by while we work our short windows, especially to Asia!
Have worked a few EU on 6M, many NA and some SA. The 6M radio is set up in the MEG tent and has the squelch on. The beacon repeats. With the squelch set any person in the MEG tent can answer...at any time if there is an opening....
We do NOT have a dedicated person sitting there....we have worked about 50 Qs on 6M...we just don't have resources to tend to a 6M station when there are limited openings....
We're all working 12+ hours day on the radio, every radio is manned 24 hr/day. The HIGH dipoles and slopers from the light house are working far better than expected. Beverages are working for low bands.
Everyone is healthy and in good spirits, despite some sleep deprivation.
The MREs (Meals Ready to Eat) are actually good. When you are hungry and camping, about anything tastes good!
In the last few days we had an issue when a couple of laptops lost communication with their radio. One station, while operating 20CW, had the frequency recorded on the computer as 17M CW. The timeframe was 3 February from 0148Z to 0221Z and 41 Qs were affected.
The other station, while operating 30M RTTY, had the frequency recorded on the computer as 15M RTTY. The timeframe was 7 February from 0311Z to 0444Z and 67 Qs were affected.
We will correct the logsearch later today hopefully. Be aware that if you worked us in this timeframe, you do NOT need to re-work us if your 30M RTTY Q showed up as 15M RTTY or if your 20M CW Q showed up as 17M. While we hope to be successful in uploading the proper Qs, the erroneous Qs may also continue to show up for a while.
On another subject, satellite bandwidth concerns have stopped uploads of photos from the island. When there are new photos posted, you'll hear about them here.
73, Bob N200, Chief Pilot
@0001Z
We can hardly believe it has been one full week since first helo flight....we are just finishing setting up a more "permanent" living situation, as supplies from "Electra" were off-loaded today with the davit system. One last shelter has arrived at camp to put inside the old lightkeeper's house. There is no roof, and when it rains, we are protected from above, but, of course, the floor gets wet! We save the rain water for attempts at bathing. Tomorrow the helicopter arrives with the last of the water jugs. The helicopter will also transfer loads from Lulu Bay to the light house.
We are in full DXpedition mode now with seven HF stations. 6M antenna is up. Beverages are up.
As of 0000Z we have over 50,000 Qs in the log! Everyone operates a minimum of 12 hours/day, often more.
After initial satellite communication issues, the Raspberry Pi-s are now uploading logs every five minutes or so, then to ClubLog.
It was 117F here today with only a very light breeze, the hottest day yet. Everyone is healthy. We are working hard to get everyone into the logs.
73, Glenn WØGJ
@2207Z
A missing file from the early operations on the island was just received. The missing Qs on 160 and 15M from February 4th have been uploaded to ClubLog.
Sorry, everybody!
We should be good from this point forward; thanks for your patience!
6 February 2015
@0439Z
Yesterday we had significant problems uploading logs via our satellite phone system, so it was only just now that we were able to get all the logs up and available on ClubLog. If you don't see your Qs by this time tomorrow, it's probably best to work us again. The on-island logs are complete and safe and we think that ClubLog accurately reflects them now.
We'll continue to work on this but please understand the difficulty in getting enough reliable bandwidth to accurately move data off a desert island smoothly.
Because of these bandwidth issues, there were no photos uploaded yesterday. Hopefully we'll have some later today and tomorrow.
Radio operations, on the other hand, are going quite well.
As of 02/06/2015 at 0244Z we have 40,556 Qs in the log.
If you're curious about the date and time of the last Q uploaded to ClubLog, that info is on the "Am I in the Log?" button on every K1N website page.
Thanks for your patience both in the pileups and with the log upload issue.
4 February 2015
@2215Z
At 2100Z, 22,000+ Qs in the log! Early network problems prevented more frequent log uploads but fixed now so more log entries will find their way into ClubLog.
Tomorrow morning will off-load "Electra" and the next day the Helicopter comes with last supplies and will transfer all gear from Lulu Bay to the lighthouse.
73, Glenn WØGJ
@2000Z
First upload of logs to ClubLog completed and the log page of our website was activated today at 1700z. We're committed to uploading at least once and likely twice each day. The first upload contained more than 10,000 Qs. At sunrises today we had 16,900 Qs
At 0000Z will go to full DXpedition mode. We have seven stations set up. Pileups intense .. as expected. All antennas are up except for Beverages.
Whole team has arrived. Davit & hoist have been installed at Lulu Bay and off-loading remaining gear from "Electra" has begun .. more tomorrow. We have one helicopter load of supplies arriving tomorrow morning, then the very last load of supplies a day or two later.
We are hot and tired. This was the hottest day yet .. with a nice breeze.
No bad news, only good news! More reports tomorrow.
73, Glenn WØGJ
3 February 2015
@1900Z
Helicopter with Bob K4UEE arrived. We are off air putting up beams...have one more to go. It is 116°F.
This evening will be on in full DXpedition mode!
73, Glenn WØGJ
@1441Z
Weather delays have plagued and delayed deployment. We were hoping to get four helicopter loads in yesterday, but only one made it because of Jamaica weather.
We have ten ops on the island. We have 160M & 80M dipoles at 160 feet from top of light house!!!! ...and other dipoles lower from nearly each window.
It has been VERY WINDY and very hot...and very dirty. We have heavy rains every evening, collected for washing, as we all feel very grubby.
We have four stations QRV, five by the end of the day. SteppIR's going up today.
Seas have been extremely rough and "Electra" has been seeking refuge in Jamaica, but is on her way to Navassa today, as forecast for tomorrow looks good for unloading. Then we'll be able to get more stations on the air.
Everyone is in good spirits and healthy, just hot and dirty!
We have been very pleased with pileup cooperation when working the difficult JA/Asia/Oceana windows. We can hear a din of pileup activity, and at times difficult to pull out individual calls on these long hauls.
Will have more time for a full report after more team arrives today and camp/ops get more established. We're off to a good start and within 24 hours should be in full swing for the next 10-12 days.
73, Glenn WØGJ
2 February 2015
We had a weather delay this morning. Last night the helicopter overnighted on Navassa; they fly VFR and it would have been dark at their return to Jamaica.
Poor weather this AM caused them to delay beginning their return to Jamaica until 1215Z. In a cascading fashion that resulted in only one flight to Navassa today -- and that one carried John K6MM and Mike NA5U (plus cargo). That leaves four of the Team still in Jamaica.
Tomorrow we plan to get the rest of the Team to the island with subsequent flights carrying cargo only.
Deliberate QRM is at expected levels; you are encouraged to fill out a DQRM report to help isolate the location of those transmitters. There's a "DQRM" button on every page of our website. In addition, you can go directly to www.dqrmreport.com and file there.
From The KP1-5 project
RE: K1N Navassa Island DXpedition
Navassa: Progress being made
Real progress! We're on the air!
The first helicopter flight of the day (the second overall) took off at sunrise this morning. It contained only cargo, health and welfare supplies and no operators. The second flight today has Team Members Gregg W6IZT, John W2GD and Ralph KØIR along with gear. It landed on Navassa at 1800Z.
The next (and probably last) flight of the day will include radios and two Team Members Craig K9CT and Lou N2TU.
There is a strong possibility that we will have two or three stations on the air tonight -- smack in the middle of Super Bowl XLIX!
The team on the island reports strong winds, very hot temperature, rats as large as cats, scorpions and Black Widow spiders. Despite all that, progress is being made building the camp infrastructure.
After the last flight today, there will be eight Team Members on the island leaving six still in Jamaica. Our last Team Member George AA7JV and "Electra" remain in port in Jamaica awaiting improving weather.
Today's last flight departed Jamaica at 2115Z .. landed on Navassa at 2229Z. Because of the lateness of the hour, the helicopter pilots will generously spend tonight on Navassa.
From The KP1-5 project
RE: K1N Navassa Island DXpedition
Navassa: We're on the way!
As you know, our plan was to begin helicopter trips this morning as soon as USFWS gave us the go-ahead. We hoped to get in as many as three trips in today.
Because of the presence of a congressional delegation in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, air services prevented the first of the two Navassa-bound USFWS helicopter flights to take off until 1530Z. The first flight carried three of the six USFWS personnel, so the helicopter had to return to Guantanamo Bay and return with the remaining three USFWS people. It's about an hour each way so all of the above equals delay.
We received the call at 1830Z with the OK to start our trips. Our first flight left a few minutes later at 1900Z and should land about 2030z. It's a two-hour round trip between Jamaica and Navassa so we won't get but one flight completed today.
Flights will resume at first light tomorrow and we should get most of the material and men ashore tomorrow (Feb 1st). Building the camp will be time-consuming and labor-intensive but we hope be able to get one or two stations on the air tomorrow evening. It will be another day or so before we're fully operational on all bands.
Because of the weather issues encountered this week by our supply vessel "Electra", we decided to offload all the MREs, gasoline and water in Jamaica and transport it all via helicopter. More trips, more $$ but in the interest of safety.
"Electra" had to run for cover. The remnants of the huge storm hitting the NE US are now sweeping across the Caribbean. Yesterday "Electra" diverted to Port Antonio on the NE Jamaica coast to escape 20 foot seas. Everyone is fine. And the team from "Electra" joined us at the Ian Fleming International Airport.
The staging at Ian Fleming International Airport went very well yesterday. All Jamaican officials seemed satisfied and we are cleared to depart when ready. The helicopter arrived ahead of schedule, benefitting from a strong tailwind.
Last evening we had a wonderful Jamaican dinner that included seven members of the Jamaica Amateur Radio Association, who drove several hours for the dinner. The flight crew joined us as well.
Today was spent unloading the container, staging and dealing with Jamaican government officials. We have a couple of pictures (lots of pictures on the Photos tab..)
73, Bob K4UEE
28 January 2015
Ten team members arrived in Jamaica today and the final two (coming by air) are expected tomorrow. The work begins at 7a processing the container under oversight of Jamaican officials. Tomorrow will be a work-intensive day.
73, Bob K4UEE
27 January 2015
Electra is anchored on the south side of Great Inagua, 170 nautical miles north of Navassa. The weather is slowly deteriorating with winds at 15 knots (at 09:00 AM). Winds are expected to increase during the next three days to 25 - 30 knots. We will move today to find a more comfortable anchorage ahead of the stronger winds.
The forecast for the period of Jan 30 - Feb 03 is not favorable. Winds in the Windward Passage (between Cuba and Haiti) are forecast to start blowing from the north-east at 20 knots on the 30th, increasing to 25 to 30 knots on the 31st. Winds will remain strong in the passage until Feb 02. Around Navassa, winds are likely to be lighter, around 15 knots, the afternoon of Jan 31 and on Feb 01. (It appears that Navassa is somewhat in the wind shadow of the mountains of Haiti.) Feb 02 - 03 are forecast to have very light winds around Navassa, but a strong swell will start building up from the south-east, reaching 2.5 meters by Feb 03. Because of the swells, we are likely to have only Feb 01 and 02 to unload gear and supplies.
Our current plan is the following:
We plan to sail from Great Inagua the afternoon of Jan 30 in a north-easterly 20 knot weather. Winds will be mostly blowing from the aft quarter, which, we hope, will make the conditions tolerable. We will skirt the western tip of Haiti and hope to stay in the lee of the island during the night of the 30th and most of the 31st, when winds will be reaching 30 knots in the Windward Passage. We will then approach Navassa from the north east and review the conditions at the island. Hopefully, Lulu bay will be tenable and we will be able to spend the night there. We plan to start off-loading the afternoon of Jan 31 and during the day on Feb 01.
73, George AA7JV
26 January 2015
The "Electra" has reached Great Inagua on her way to Navassa. New pictures HERE; be sure to scroll down..
73, George AA7JV
22 January 2015
Three team members sailed for Navassa aboard "Electra" very early this morning. George AA7JV, Tomi HA7RY, Mike N6MZ and crew made it across the Gulf Stream and are safely in the Bahamas for the night. It's ON!
From The KP1-5 project
RE: K1N Navassa Island DXpedition
Navassa: A once in 32 year opportunity!
Within two weeks the K1N Navassa DXpedition should be QRV with up to 7-8 stations. Our exact departure date will be decided at the last moment by USFWS and weather windows. The team will be arriving at our staging point a few days before the earliest possible window and will be ready for a rapid deployment. As soon as USFWS has landed on the island and declared it is safe to proceed, we will start the helicopter flights and commence operations. We hope to have a basic camp established by the end of the first day and if things go extremely well, we hope to have several stations on the air by nightfall on the second day. Helicopter deployment will continue for a total of three days before the camp is fully established. A boat landing is not possible this time of year and also helicopter sling loads off our standby vessel are impossible. So, additional equipment and supplies will be moved ashore with manpower. This will not be an easy project!
The K1N operation is your only opportunity in 32 years to work this #1 Most Wanted Entity. It has been 22 years since the last operation and USFWS will not permit another operation for at least ten years. For these reasons, and in the spirit of worldwide cooperation and good will, we ask that if you already have QSOs with Navassa on certain bands from a previous operation, PLEASE DO NOT CALL US ON THAT BAND! ClubLog Leader Board will be turned off for obvious reasons.
The latest details and pictures can be found at www.navassadx.com. This web page is now available in 44 languages, including, of course, Klingon! We are leaving no one out of this DXpedition because of its rarity. Our stations will be at "the usual" DX frequencies, listening up, but in some cases, down, for certain parts of the world's band plan. It is absolutely necessary to listen to the instructions of the DXpedition operator. We have a Facebook page to watch and a Twitter feed (@navassa2015) to follow for instant updates. We will be listening in the U.S. General/Advanced bands.
Band modes will be somewhat limited in an all-out effort to work the bands down to the last station (and Klingon) for this unique opportunity. At least one station will be on 20 meters 24 hours/day. 160M and 12M will be CW only and 10M will be SSB only. Other bands will in some pattern, alternating CW & SSB. At least one station will always be on RTTY, and we will operate RTTY on no more than three bands.
N2OO Bob, is our chief pilot. HK1R Jorge, is our South American pilot, JA1ELY Toshi, (assisted by Yuki JH1NBN) for Asia, MMØNDX Col, for Europe, V51B Andre, for Africa and ZL2AL Lee, for Oceania. Nodir EY8MM is our deep Asia pilot where propagation will be weakest. Our U.S. pilots are K2SG Tony, and KF5NYQ Brandon, is our youth pilot. You can contact your pilot via email; each pilot's address is on his team bio page on our website. Pilots are your way to provide important feedback to the team on the island. Be concise and make your comments pertinent. The worldwide feedback will be prioritized, summarized and forwarded to the Island. Pilots will attempt to answer questions if they are able to do so. Pilots will NOT have access to the logs so do not ask about busted calls, log entries, etc. Logs will be uploaded several times daily to ClubLog.
As you can see in the following propagation prediction diagram for North America, we will have high grade communication on several bands 24 hours daily. The same is true for South America.
Contrast this to the predicted propagation to Japan and India:
Europe has some variability, but Poland shows an "average" propagation for the European continent. There should be 24 hours of daily propagation to Europe…on some band!
You should be grateful to have others standby while we work YOU for an All Time New One. It is only fair to ask that YOU stand by while work others for an All Time New One. As can be seen on the European diagram, we ask for patience in Europe while we work into deep Asia and other areas, as the band openings are nearly simultaneous. Please LISTEN to the operator's instructions. We will not work stations from outside the area we are calling. With cooperation, everyone will get into our logs FASTER!
Deliberate QRM has been a major hindrance on both ends of the pileups in recent years and is worsening. There is a tab on our website where you can help us identify QRMing stations. This tab will not be active until the DXpedition comes on the air. By entering the data requested, and if enough data is entered, even with crude or rough beam headings, a "heat map" can be produced with mathematical analysis of the data. This was covertly tested during the recent FT4TA Tromelin DXpedition and even with limited data input; several deliberate QRMing stations could be identified within a very small area! Again, the more data that is provided the more accurate the "heat" can be put on offending stations. The QRM problem is one reason we are not publishing our operating frequencies, but we will be on or near the "usual" DXpedition frequencies. If we do experience QRM, we have planned tactics to minimize the malicious interference. Hint: Listen, LISTEN and LISTEN MORE for us….we might try to "wiggle" out of it! We will also try hard to keep our splits narrow as possible to avoid annoying non-DXers who have been known to "bother" a pileup.
K1N QSL information/manager:
Bob Schenck, N2OO
P.O. Box 345
Tuckerton, NJ 08087 USA
World Direct: S.A.E. (Self-Addressed Envelope) plus minimum $2 or 1 IRC
OQRS Direct and bureau: via CLUBLOG
Regular Bureau: via N2OO c/o the W2 QSL Bureau
LOTW: Sooner rather than later.
We greatly appreciate the generous contributions from individuals and DX clubs around the world! We are just shy of meeting our transportation obligations and have yet to meet the cost of "the rest" of the DXpedition. As always, we encourage contributions to help meet the uncovered expenses. The team has contributed basically half of the entire cost and would appreciate any possible help.
The next press release will be when the landing operations commence. After that, daily progress and pictures will be posted on the website.
From the K1N Navassa Team:
Bob K4UEE, Glenn WØGJ, Mike NA5U, George AA7JV, Ralph KØIR, John K6MM, Craig K9CT, Tomi KT4TTT, Lou N2TU, George N4GRN, Mike N6MZ, Jeff NM1Y, John W2GD, Gregg W6IZT & Jerry WB9Z
….we hope to see you in the logs!!!
30 December 2014
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
From The KP1-5 project
RE: K1N Navassa Island DXpedition
It is now about four weeks before K1N goes on the air. The exact date of departure from the staging area will be dependent upon a combination of the date U.S. FWS transportation is available and upon weather windows. It is looking like K1N will be QRV the first two weeks of February.
Most of the team have their bags packed and are ready to go. Because of the helicopter logistics, this will be a no-frills-minimum-comfort operation for the team. Meals will be MREs (Meals Ready to Eat). The container has been organized for a quick camp setup and quick radio/antenna setup to take advantage of every moment. It is estimated there will be two full days of helicopter shuttles to get everything needed to start operations. A small team of FWS personnel will accompany us, including armed Federal Law Enforcement Officers.
Efficiency is not just for the team, but also for the DX community. It has been over 22 years since Navassa was activated and USFWS will not allow another operation for at least ten more years. This is a ONCE IN 32 YEARS opportunity to work Navassa! Everyone can make the most of this opportunity by LISTENING to the operator's instructions and following the cadence of the operator. We will not be working all modes on all bands, but limiting most bands to a specific mode, so that we can work the pileups down to the last little pistol.
Fund raising has been going well. The team has contributed about half of the total budget. .
We have a Facebook page to watch and a Twitter feed (@navassa2015) to follow along.
For the KP1-5 Project,
Bob Allphin K4UEE
Glenn Johnson WØGJ
Mike Thomas NA5U
20 December 2014
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
From The KP1-5 project
RE: K1N Navassa Island DXpedition
The KP1-5 Project Team would like to report progress in preparations for a late January landing on Navassa is coming along very well! A container is being shipped from Atlanta, GA, to our staging point in the Caribbean.
Bob N2OO is our chief pilot and has organized an excellent worldwide team to collect reports and suggestions from our target areas. Feedback will be prioritized, filtered and/or condensed to pass along to the team at least daily. We have a very special pilot, Brandon KF5NYQ. Brandon is 11 years old and one of the youngest hams ever to have achieved DXCC!!! Brandon will be collecting feedback from young hams. On our website, www.navassadx.com, check out “Our Team” and scroll down to see your pilot. Click on their picture to see their bio and contact information.
We are now on FACEBOOK and TWITTER!!!
Check out our Facebook page: Navassa 2015 K1N and invite your ham (and non-ham) friends to follow us!
For Twitter: You can Google Twitter and open an account. Then, when it's open within the Twitter program, search for @navassa2015. Then follow K1N.
Team co-leader, Glenn WØGJ, was interviewed by DokuFunk Radio earlier this week. You can hear the entire interview (14 minutes) at www.dokufunk.org/navassa-e. DokuFunk has an extremely well documented history of amateur operations from Navassa. Pictures and video will give you a preview of what the team will see and experience.
This week the team paid the first half of the nearly $200,000 helicopter transportation contract. The second half is due to be paid February 10th. By the end of this month, in order to progress with the operation, we must pay the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service $95,000 - $97,000 for the transportation of the Law Enforcement team who must accompany us. We will know our exact dates when our payment is due at the end of December. We will have a press release when we know our exact dates.
The cost of the K1N operation is very high and the time to raise the money needed to fully fund the project is exceptionally short. Inherent risks of a water landing on Navassa have dictated using a helicopter to transport men and materials to avoid the risk of scaling the 5-10 meter high cliffs during the period of rough seas (January – February).
The 15 operators have collectively contributed $157,500 toward the K1N operation, roughly half of what it will cost. DX Foundations, Radio Clubs, and Individuals have been exceptionally generous in their financial support of the K1N operation (see the list of donors at www.navassadx.com under the Sponsors tab). Team members are paying all of their own expenses to and from the staging point.
But the K1N Team still needs to raise a significant amount of additional money BEFORE> the operation commences in late January..... to ensure payment for the extraordinary transportation costs. Final payment for helicopter services is due just before completion of the operation.
Contributions have been lagging from the Most Needed target areas of Europe and Asia. Our North American support has been doing quite well, where Navassa is much further down the Most Needed List.
Time is short and K1N will be active within six weeks!
....thank you for your consideration and support.
For the KP1-5 Project:
Bob Allphin, K4UEE
Glenn Johnson, WØGJ
Mike Thomas, NA5U
4 December 2014
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
From The KP1-5 project
RE: K1N Navassa Island DXpedition
The KP1-5 Project and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service have been working together on preparations for our joint 14 day visit to Navassa Island NWR. Although the actual dates may still vary, it now appears we will begin transport to the Island during the last week of January 2015.
Our container of equipment and supplies will depart late in December enroute to our helicopter staging area. All of our equipment is being assembled, tested and packed.
Our window of opportunity, dictated by USFWS, is during the period of least bird nesting. But it is also the time of the most treacherous seas, making a safe sea landing of all our equipment and people all but impossible. The famous "ladder" used to access the island at Lulu Bay was removed when the U.S. Coast Guard turned administration over to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. For safety reasons, the USFWS uses helicopter transport to the island and we will too. Consequently, and as one might expect, the costs of this DXpedition are quite high. The team has contributed approximately half of the total cost. Foundations such as NCDXF and INDEXA have been very generous, as have a number of DX Clubs and individuals, and for this generosity, we are deeply grateful!
The particulars of this DXpedition require more "up front" payments than most DXpeditions and we have a "cash flow timing" situation that needs to be addressed. The helicopter contractual agreement requires all charter costs to be paid prior to the conclusion of the project. Many older hams need a mode or band fill from Navassa, but an entire generation has grown up without Navassa being on the air. Hence, it has risen to the #1 Most Wanted on the ClubLog list. If you need Navassa for an all-time new one (ATNO), or for a particular band or mode, we could use your financial help. If you plan to help support the DXpedition, we ask that you do so now, not later.
We have an excellent team of fifteen operators who will be manning eight stations 24 hours/day, dedicated to giving out as many contacts as possible over the two week period.
Your generous financial gift will help insure a most successful DXpedition for all!
We will update the website often as more information becomes available. We are working closely with the USFWS and are pleased with their "can do" attitude. We should have specific dates shortly, but the team has cleared their schedules to be available for the two week operation starting in late January 2015.
Fundraising has begun. If able, we encourage you to financially support the project.
73,
for the DXpedition team
Bob K4UEE, Glenn WØGJ, Mike NA5U
22 October 2014
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
From The KP1-5 project
RE: Navassa Island (KP1) Operation
The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service has notified the KP1-5 Project that they will be the team to activate Navassa Island (KP1) in January 2015.
The DXpedition will be a maximum of fourteen days. The exact dates in January will be determined by USFWS mission requirements and weather windows.
Our experienced team of fifteen is complete and is ready for the challenge. The weeks ahead will be extremely busy as the team has less than 90 days before the DXpedition comes on the air.
January is the month of minimum bird nesting activity and this is the primary reason USFWS is asking that the operation be completed during that month. However, the weather is unpredictable in January and because Navassa is surrounded by cliffs, this may preclude a safe landing by boat. For safety reasons and in order to maximize our time on the Island and on the air, a helicopter operation is planned. Navassa is over 100 miles (160 km) from the nearest helicopter staging point and as many as ten round trips will be required at the beginning and end of the operation. Obviously, this means that there will be a significant cost for activating this #1 ranked DXCC entity.
In the next few weeks, we be working with USFWS and as details firm up, we will issue periodic press releases. Check our webpage, www.kp1-5.com for more details of the operation and how you may financially support this DXpedition.
The KP1-5 Project team has committed to fund 50% of the total costs. We are hopeful the DX community will fund the remainder.
for The KP1-5 Project,
Bob Allphin, K4UEE, President
Glenn Johnson, WØGJ, Vice-president
Mike Thomas, NA5U, Secretary
29 August 2014
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
From The KP1-5 project
RE: Navassa Island (KP1) Operation
KP1 Navassa Island
The KP1-5 Project is pleased to announce that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has agreed to allow an amateur radio operation from Navassa National Wildlife Refuge (KP1). The operation will occur within the next 18 months and will be coordinated with the USFWS work flow.
Over the past year, the KP1-5 Project has had numerous meetings with various levels of USFWS management. Throughout our discussions, their personnel have been courteous, professional and cooperative. We have been treated with sincere interest and respect and believe that amateur radio operators may now be viewed as partners and not adversaries.
As with the Desecheo operation in 2009, and in order to be transparent and fair, the USFWS has requested proposals for the amateur radio operation from those individuals and groups that have already applied for a Special Use Permit in the past. The KP1-5 Project will be submitting a proposal and hoping to be selected as they were for the very successful Desecheo (K5D) operation.
We wish to thank the USFWS for their decision to allow this operation. Navassa Island is ranked #2 most-needed DXCC entity by The DX Magazine and #1 by ClubLog.
Please visit our website for up to date information. http://kp1-5.com
73,
The KP1-5 Project
Bob Allphin, K4UEE, Presiden
Glenn Johnson, W0GJ, Vice-President
Mike Thomas, NA5U, Secretary
Jim Bass, K5KQI, Treasurer
May 8, 2014
APPEAL Response from USFWS to KP1-5 Project
April 10, 2014
If you had told us after our very successful DXpedition to Desecheo Island (K5D) that five years would pass and we would not have operated from Navassa Island, we would not have believed you. The excitement on our part and on the part our partners in the US Fish and Wildlife Service was high and they were as optimistic as we. That was the spring of 2009.
But time has passed, people have been transferred, retired or otherwise moved on and we found ourselves without allies. Today, we have begun establishing new relationships that we hope will lead to not only an amateur radio operation from Navassa, but a partnership with the Service assisting them in the wildlife restoration work that needs to begin on Navassa.
We have had two meetings this spring and in both cases we were treated with a high level of interest and respect. Our hosts at USFWS have been most attentive and cordial. Our proposals have been logical and well- thought-out and mutually beneficial to USFWS and the worldwide community of DXers. They are considering those proposals now and we are optimistic.
This is not the time to become discouraged or angry. It is a time to be careful and cautious. For those of you who have volunteered to contact their representatives in Congress or otherwise "stir the pot", please do not do so at this time. It would not be appropriate or helpful right now.
Thanks for your patience; we promise to keep you informed.
73,
Bob Allphin, K4UEE
President
Glenn Johnson,WØGJ
Vice President
Mike Thomas, NA5U
Secretary
Jim Bass, K5KQI
Treasurer
January 2011 - April 9, 2014
The KP1-5 Project has turned its attention and efforts toward Navassa. The logistics and security requirements dictated by the location of Navassa make this a complicated operation. We are continuing to work with our contacts within USFWS and are optimistic that a mutually beneficial solution can be agreed upon and that a partnership between USFWS and The KP1-5 Project will eventually lead to another USFWS-authorized amateur radio operation from Navassa Island.
December 2010
New officers elected for the KP1-5 Project:
President: Bob Allphin K4UEE
Vice-President: Dr. Glenn Johnson WØGJ
Secretary/Treasurer: Mike Thomas NA5U
Coordinator, Wildlife Refuge Week Ham Radio Operations: Brad Farrell K4RT
