KH4 – Midway Island. Summer/Autumn 2008 (possibility)
Within this website/blog there is a page dedicated to the day-to-day life on Midway Island. It’s a most interesting blog, with vivid images and detailed descriptions of life on KH4.
I decided to email the owner of the site (Pete Leary) enquiring as to whether he knew of any possible ham radio activity in the future, from KH4.
I was very surprised when he replied to say he was infact a licensed radio amateur, but currently had no equipment with him on KH4. His callsign is KC0END.
I’ve included the email from Pete below, as the information given is current and explains the situation with regards amateur radio on KH4.
“I happen to be a ham operator- KC0END (tech plus), but I don’t have the equipment out here to get on air. Also, since this is a national monument and wildlife refuge, a compatibility study has to be done to determine the effect on birds (they’ll fly into the antennae). However, there are plans in the works to get a ham group out here next summer or fall if it gets approved. There a couple of groups that are already on the waiting list to get out here. It’s expensive since the little plane that comes out here has to be chartered (about $30,000 US per group) plus food and lodging.
If you are interested in trying to get on that list with a group let me know and I can give you the contact information for our deputy refuge manager who is in charge of that.
Pete KC0END”
Infact, Pete, KC0END has emailed again explaining some issues which i think we should take note of:
“Hi,
You can mention it as a possibility, however we don’t want to be overwhelmed with requests for people to come out here since there are not any details worked out at all, or even if it will happen. The groups on the list are emailing or calling all the time and taking a lot of our deputy manager’s time even though he has no information yet, so he might get so fed up with the same questions that he’ll quit looking at it. If you just said that a compatibility study was being done, but we won’t be answering any questions until that is complete, I think that might keep Matt [deputy manager] happy.At the moment, I couldn’t set up a station until they see the bird impact, so no need to look around for spare equipment yet. The water antenna might work, I’ll look into that a little more.
I’ll let you know when I get some useful information.
Pete KC0END”
Comments are closed.
about 2 years ago
see u soon
about 2 years ago
I am retired us navy and have lived on Midway (58-61) and have been working with others to try and visit midway. Did get back for a week in 98 when FWS had a contractor allowing visitors. My midway neighbor was KM6CB and the station for the base was KM6BI (under old call sign assignment). In early 2000’s station was allowed with the contractor and a lot of gear was donated by other amateurs to keep a station available for use. After contractor left the equipment was pilfered or put to other use . they also stated that no one could operate unless they had been approved for use under a 5000 dollar application. Their bird protection is a little weird as they took out all street lights, shortened street marking posts to about 3 feet wanted to remove flag pole and proposed moving Battle of Midway monuments(3 each about six feet high) into a shed for protection. You can see that antenna use will be a problem. Read Pete’s msg per “I may be able to put an antenna up with an existing one” and remember he works for them. The transportation out is by G-1 twin tubine plane and it only holds 19 passengers but thats only on a space Avail after their supplies,mail and volunteers get first dibs. Visitor plan states that wildlife associated visits will take priority over non wildlife associated groups and visitors. They had proposed starting this month but that has been put off until next year and a lot of us are waiting to see their finalized plans so we can visit. It may be a better Idea if you can get approval for it, to take a boat out. You may be able to use boat masts to mount antennas and as a operating space and may even live on it. I am sure fees would not be cheap either but might make it do-able. You might check with last dxpedition to Kure a year or so ago. It is part of the preserve but under a different situation as It and all the other islands in the chain while run by NOAA and FWS are owned by The state of Hawaii while Midway is still owned by US government .When working with FWS do your homework and have backup plans to negotiate with and above all get it in writing !! Their word changes frequently. Just a note, we were promised back in 2002 that with MPC (last contractor leaving ) we would have a visitor program up and running by next year(2003). Now 100’s of millions of dollars later we still do not have a visitors program in place. Just a proposed plan to start this month and now that is backed up till next year and looks to be prohibitly expensive and discourages all but wildlife associated groups who will be asked to pay high prices and do some work for them. Our group is still waiting patiently to see if they get anything sincere off the ground. For those interested in the history of whats been happening and old pictures thru current of midway you can check out our group site midwayisland.com
John D
about 2 years ago
This will be a very popular Dxpedition if it happens – I have only worked KH4 once before (when I was G4FAM). I remember the QSO well – it was on 80m SSB!
Sure would be nice to work it from GM land.
73 de Cris
GM4FAM
about 2 years ago
It will be a new one for me!!! It’s one of the ten countrys that I need for my DXCC.
I think a very good and important Dxpedition for all Ham!!
Tnx for your project.
Sergio IK4JPR best ‘73
about 2 years ago
Hmm…. something screams out to me. Aluminum rain gutters, or a flagpole, or something that can serve double duty. This year (2008 ) seems to be the best for DXpedition participation, with the Ducie, Clipperton, and Spratly all in February and March. Let’s get motivated!