KH3/W7KFI Johnston Atoll

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As part of her westward journey of the Pacific Ocean, Susan W7KFI is planning to leave Honolulu in late Summer 2011 for Johnston Atoll OC-023. She has landing permission from the military and hopes to operate for a short time as KH3/W7KFI.

Johnston Atoll is planned to be one of many stops enroute to her final destination of Borneo (V8). The full trip may take two years with potentially new IOTA’s also being activated on the way.

More updates as they become available.

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UPDATE by Stan KH6CG on Susan’s trip to Johnston Island, KH3 — #20 on the DXCC Most Wanted List.

She will use the callsign KH3/W7KFI. Susan tells me she will set sail for Johnston in late November or early December, 2011. She sails “solo” aboard her private boat. Sailing time from KH6 will be approx 5-7 days. She expects to be operating with 100w and a 43 ft vertical and a tuner on SSB and CW. More info as it becomes available. QSL via KH6CG

July 17, 2011. As part of her westward journey of the Pacific Ocean, Susan W7KFI is planning to leave Honolulu in late Summer 2011 for Johnston Atoll OC-023. She has landing permission from the military and hopes to operate for a short time as KH3/W7KFI

Johnston Atoll is planned to be one of many stops enroute to her final destination of Borneo (V8). The full trip may take two years with potentially new IOTA’s also being activated on the way.

More updates as they become available.

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UPDATE – Permission to land on Johnston Atoll has been approved by USAF. Once active, Susan hopes to use Clublog for online log check.

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Susan’s QSL manager, Stan KH6CG has the official word on her progress.

Earlier today he spoke with Susan W7KFI whereby she confirmed her permit to access Johnston Atoll has been extended to January / February 2012.

Stan says her plan is to leave Honolulu on January 15, 2012 arriving KH3 some 5-7 days later, depending on wind. She’ll operate for seven days setting up a tent on the pier, where it will be over land, using a 43ft vertical set into sand.

She has informed the ARRL of this station set up so they are aware for [pending] DXCC approval. Additionally, Susan will take photos and is expecting an Elecraft banner to be sent to her soon via the company; Susan will use a K3 on CW/SSB mainly.

In short, according to Susan, she should be QRV from about January 21st, and if there is a delay for any reason she can operate through February.

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Susan’s QSL manager, Stan KH6CG has the official word on her progress.

UPDATE: Susan may now push off from KH6 a few days after January 15th. Additionally, NCDXF will sponsor her KH3 activity. Banner already received.

Earlier today Stan spoke with Susan W7KFI whereby she confirmed her permit to access Johnston Atoll has been extended to January / February 2012.

Stan says her plan is to leave Honolulu on (approx) January 15, 2012 arriving KH3 some 5-7 days later, depending on wind. She’ll operate for seven days setting up a tent on the pier, where it will be over land, using a 43ft vertical set into sand.

She has informed the ARRL of this station set up so they are aware for [pending] DXCC approval. Additionally, Susan will take photos and is expecting an Elecraft banner to be sent to her soon via the company; Susan will use a K3 on CW/SSB mainly.

In short, according to Susan, she should be QRV from about January 21st, and if there is a delay for any reason she can operate through February.

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UPDATE: Susan’s QSL manager, Stan KH6CG, has the official word on her progress.

Yesterday, Stan spoke with Susan and confirms rumours that her KH3-Midway planned operation has been postponed for 4-6 weeks. This is primarily due to USF&W (Fish & Wildlife) requiring that Susan pulls her boat out of the water and has the hull scraped, then repainted. Permission [to land] would then be granted. The shipyard who would do this work cannot get Susan an appointment until approx four weeks from now, so shove off date will be beginning February at earliest. Susan reaffirms she will definitely be going, and KH3 will happen, but now no firm date for the moment. Her permission to operate is through February. It’s worth noting USF&W would prefer Susan to have the hull scraped and push off date within two weeks from now, however as already mentioned the shipyard cannot do the required work until four weeks time.

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Susan’s QSL manager, Stan KH6CG, has the official word on her progress.

UPDATE - Outwith Susan’s control, a further delay in going to KH3 has occured – hopefully she can still arrive at the island by end of February/early March.

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Stan KH6CG informs:

Susan has OFFICIALLY GIVEN UP on KH3.