K9W Wake Atoll Dxpedition

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Wake Atoll Commemorative DXpedition, Press Release #2, March 11, 2013.



We are pleased to announce the call sign for the Wake Atoll Commemoration DXpedition anticipated taking place at the beginning of October, 2013.

K9W has been assigned to this event! The actual days of use will be announced on our website and through the normal media channels.

Additionally, we are happy to announce that Val, NV9L and Col, MMØNDX have joined the Team as Pilot Stations. Pilot stations are essential members of the Dxpedition’s operation and gather the DX communities’ feedback during the event. This information allows the ‘on island team’ to tailor their activities to the needs of stations worldwide.
We have received our first foundation support from INDEXA and donations from clubs and individuals. In-depth planning is continuing and progressing nicely thanks to the efforts of many members of the DX community. Their input and assistance is greatly appreciated and welcomed!

Please check our web site often for updates

http://www.wake2013.org

73, K9W Wake Atoll ManagementTeam

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Wake Atoll Commemorative DXpedition, Press Release #3, May 5, 2013.

The Wake Atoll commemorative team’s operation at the beginning of October, 2013 is progressing nicely.

The initial phase of the operation, planning, is essentially complete and the Team has moved into equipment procurement and staging operations. The equipment will be pre-staged in California and Hawaii prior to transport to Wake. Staging, pre-testing, packing, and shipping under the direction of Tom, ND2T and Kimo, KH6U are major undertakings for DXpeditions and are essential to assure equipment arriving on-time and safely on Wake.

Our support Team has been expanded to include these additional Pilot Stations: Hiroo, JA1WSX (Japan/Asia); Stan, KH6CG (Oceania) and Rich, KY6R (USA). Additionally, Val, NV9L has agreed to be the chief pilot for the operation. As mentioned in the previous release, this support Team is an essential part of the DXpedition’s operation. The information they gather from the DX communities’ feedback during the event, allows the ‘on island team’ to adjust their activities to meet changing band conditions and optimize QSOs worldwide.

Stu, K6TU will be developing in-depth propagation summaries which will be posted on our website and Don, N1DG has been guiding the team on Logistical issues.

The Team wants to thank the DX Community, including generous worldwide Foundations and Clubs, equipment manufacturers and outlets for their outstanding support of the Wake Commemorative efforts. These DXpeditions are extremely expensive and could not be accomplished without the support of the entire DX Community. Please check our web site often for updates http://www.wake2013.org/

73, K9W Wake Atoll ManagementTeam

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Wake Atoll Commemorative DXpedition, Press Release #4

The Wake Atoll Commemorative team’s operation is progressing nicely.

Most of the equipment needed for this operation has been received and is being pre-tested prior to shipment to the staging areas. As mentioned in the previous release, the equipment will be pre-staged in California and Hawaii prior to transport to Wake. Staging, pre-testing, packing are essential to assure equipment arriving on-time and safely on Wake.

The two week "on air" dates are anticipated to start the last week of September or first week of October. This is entirely dependent on the military flight schedule into and out of Wake Atoll and this has yet to be determined. As soon as this is established, we will issue another press release and post it on our website.

Several good options are being considered for our two operating sites which will be announced soon.

Please note! There are a few other DXpeditions which will be on air during the Wake Operation. Our band plan, established in early March and documented on our website, will be used during the operation. To avoid the dreaded "Not in the Log", please be sure which DXpedition you are working! Our operators will announce K9W often to help identify your contact.

The Team wants to thank the DX Community, including generous worldwide Foundations and Clubs, equipment manufacturers and outlets for their outstanding support of the Wake Commemorative efforts. These DXpeditions are extremely expensive and could not be accomplished without the support of the entire DX Community.

Visit the wake2013.org website to view our Sponsors and make your personal donation.

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UPDATE - Tentative dates QRV: October 7 to 18, 2013.

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Press Release #5

The Wake Atoll commemorative team is in the final phase of preparation. All equipment has been received in Hawaii and will be transported to Hickam AFB for delivery to Wake Island. Thanks, Kimo, KH7U for your invaluable assistance!

The plan is for the team to assemble in Hawaii on or before 3 October, depart 4 October and arrive on 5 October. The following day will be dedicated to station set-up. There will be two CW and two SSB stations on the air. The CW site will be located across from the Arrivals terminal and the SSB site will be housed in a "beach house" near downtown Wake.

We are planning on being QRV 7 October through 18 October (Wake time). If there are any changes, they will be posted on our website. Logs will be uploaded to ClubLog as time and internet access allows.

This is a commemorative DXpedition. Our prime objective is to honor the lives and contributions of the Forgotten 98 civilian contractors who lost their lives on Wake during WWII. Some of these men have yet to be identified and are interred in Honolulu. If you know any of the Forgotten 98 or their relatives, modern DNA testing may identify their remains and provide for a proper burial. Please take a moment to look through their names.

The team wants to thank the DX community, including generous worldwide Foundations, Clubs, Individuals, Equipment manufacturers and outlets for their outstanding support of the Wake commemorative efforts. These DXpeditions are extremely expensive and could not be accomplished without the support of the entire DX community. Visit the Wake Island DXpedition website to view our sponsors and make your personal donation.

Please note! A few other DXpeditions will be on the air during the Wake operation. To avoid the dreaded "not in the log", please be sure which DXpedition you are working! Our operators will announce the K9W callsign often to help identify your contact.

Please check our website frequently for updates. [url]http:/wake2013.org/[/url]

And don’t forget to sign our guestbook!

73,
K9W Wake Atoll Management Team

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Press Release #6 – DXpedition on HOLD

Due to the U.S. Government shutdown, The Wake Island K9W Forgotten 98′s Commemorative DXpedition is now on hold pending a revised schedule. We will announce new dates for the DXpedition as soon as possible. Thank you for your patience and understanding. [The K9W Wake Management team.]

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UPDATE - The Wake Management Team continues to work with the USAF to set rescheduled dates for this Commemorative DXpedition. Once we have the new dates, we will post them here and through the normal Amateur Radio communication media. Thank you for your patience and understanding. [The K9W Wake Management Team]

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PRESS RELEASE #6 — The Wake Atoll Commemorative DXpedition team has been approved for entry onto Wake Atoll. Our equipment is already on Wake and in safe storage awaiting our arrival. The 12-Operator team includes: Joe AA4NN, John K6MM, Craig K9CT, Mike K9NW, Ralph K9ZO, Lou N2TU, Jim N9TK, Mark NA6M, Dick W3OA, Joe W8GEX, Hal W8HC and Jerry WB9Z.

The plan is for the team to assemble in Hawaii on 30-October, depart 01-November, arrive on 02-November and immediately erect antennas and set-up the stations. There will be two CW and two SSB stations on the air. The CW site will be located across from the Arrivals terminal and the SSB site will be housed in a “beach house” near downtown Wake.

We are planning on being QRV 03-November through 15-November (Wake time). If there are any changes, they will be posted on our website. http://wake2013.org/pages/bandplan.html

Logs will be uploaded to ClubLog as time and internet access allows.

This is a commemorative DXpedition. Our prime objective is to honor the lives and contributions of the Forgotten 98 civilian contractors who lost their lives on Wake during WWII. Some of these men have yet to be identified. If you know any of the Forgotten 98 or their relatives, modern DNA testing may identify their remains and provide for a proper burial. Please take a moment to look through their names. http://wake2013.org/pages/forgotten98.html

Wake Atoll is an active military base and access is extremely limited. The Team is most grateful to the United States Air Force for allowing this Commemoration to take place.

Also, Team wants to thank the DX community, including generous worldwide Foundations, Clubs, Individuals, Equipment manufacturers and outlets for their outstanding support of the Wake commemorative efforts. These DXpeditions are extremely expensive and could not be accomplished without the support of the entire DX community Visit the website to view our sponsors and make your personal donation. http://wake2013.org/pages/sponsors.html

Please note! A few other DXpeditions will be on the air during the Wake operation. To avoid the dreaded “not in the log”, please be sure which DXpedition you are working! Our operators will announce the K9W callsign often to help identify your contact.

Please check our website frequently for updates. http://wake2013.org

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The K9W team have landed on Wake Island

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UPDATE - Currently the 160m antenna needs repaired, however due to continued heavy rain (from a newly formed tropical weather system in the vicinity) it’s not possible to fix that antenna at the moment. The team are very aware of the need to make contact on Top Band.

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Team member NA6M informs:

Well folks, the mission is almost over. Our final team schedule is on our whiteboard and we will shut down operations at 1700Z Thursday. This is 0500 WST on Friday for us. We will break down the stations, pack and get them ready for pallets for the trip home. Our plane leaves Saturday morning for Honolulu.