28-June-2014 - HAM RADIO, Friedrichshafen, Germany
The K9W Wake Atoll DXpedition is named "DXpedition of the Year" by three different European DX organizations:
DX-World, Scotland's DX Association (GMDX), and the German DX Foundation (GDXF).

DX-World Lou, N2TU receives the DOTY award from Col McGowan, MMØNDX (click photo to enlarge)

Scotland's DX Assocation (GMDX) Lou, N2TU receives the DOTY award from Gavin Taylor, GMØGAV (click photo to enlarge)

German DX Foundation (GDXF) Lou, N2TU and Hal, W8HC receive the DOTY award from GDXF (click photo to enlarge)

09-November, 2013
The 12-operator K9W team has been up and running for 6 days now and has put 60,000 QSOs in the log using 4 stations running 24 hours a day. 170 different DXCC entities have been worked. QSO breakdown by Continent shows Asia (34%), Europe (25%), North America (35%), Oceania (4%) and South America (2%). See LOG page for link to Statistics. We are working all modes and all bands at this point with good propagation throughout the world. See our PLANS page for transmit frequencies. This week we had a surprise visit from Lt. General Terry Robling, Commanding General, US Marine Corps Forces, Pacific. Gen. Robling was kind enough to follow the time-honored tradition of painting over portions of the Marine Memorial, located neat the CW station -- a converted Chapel. (see HOME page for photos). The team is eating and sleeping well, and highly focused on getting as many QSOs in the log as possible. See PHOTOS page for initial photos....more to come soon.

Press Release #6
28-October, 2013
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, 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 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://www.wake2013.org/

And don't forget to sign our guestbook!

73,
K9W Wake Atoll Management Team

Press Release #5
September 25, 2013

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 will also be operating RTTY, most likely from the SSB site.

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 at http://wake2013.org/pages/bandplan.html
Logs will be uploaded to Club Log 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. http://wake2013.org/pages/forgotten98.html

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 http://wake2013.org 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 K9Wcallsign often to help identify your contact.

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

And don't forget to sign our guestbook!

73,
K9W Wake Atoll Management Team


Press Release #4
June 25, 2013
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 http://wake2013.org/pages/bandplan.html, will be used during our operation. To avoid the dreaded "Not in the Log", please be sure which DXpedition you are working! Our operators will announce the 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.

And don't forget to sign our Guestbook!
Please check our website often for updates.
http://www.wake2013.org/

Press Release #3
May 4, 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, KH7U 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 visit the wake2013.org website to view our Sponsors and make your personal donation.

Press Release #2
March 10, 2013
We are pleased to announce the call sign for the Commemoration 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 tåe 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/

Joe and Craig were the co-leaders of the very successful DXpeditions to Swains Island NH8S in 2012, and Sint Maarten PJ7E in 2010.  They were also team members of the Midway K4M DXpedition in 2009.  Joe AA4NN is a veteran of these as well as many other DXpeditions across the globe. Lou was also a member of the Swains NH8S team.

This operation is a Commemorative DXpedition in that it combines a DXpedition and a commemoration of an event.  98 civilian contractors working for Morrison- Knutsen, lost their lives on the atoll in October 1943. The group has been named the "Forgotten 98".  Our operation, observing the 70th anniversary of their deaths, will be dedicated to keeping their memory alive and honoring their sacrifice.

Wake ranks number 15 in Club Log's Most Wanted Entities. A highly experienced team of 12 operators is being formed. They plan to operate five stations over a 14 day period, 160 to 6 meters on all modes, using a callsign to be announced at a later date.

Team Operators include Joe AA4NN - John K6MM - Carl K9CS - Craig K9CT - Mike K9NW - Lou N2TU - Tom N4XP - Tom ND2T - Dick W3OA - Joe W8GEX - Hal W8HC and Jerry WB9Z.

Wake Atoll's access is extremely limited and the time frame is dictated by transportation issues. As such, official dates have not been set but will be announced as soon as possible. The team will gather in Honolulu and then travel to Wake. Official landing permission has been obtained.

Our website, www.wake2013.org, developed by team member John K6MM, will provide updates as they become available.  Later, the group will also have an OQRS link on the website for easy QSLing.

We want to thank Elecraft, who will be supplying K3s and KPA500s for our use.  Steppir will be supplying an assortment of versatile antennas, and we appreciate their help. This Commemorative Dxpedition would not happen without the outstanding support of these companies. Others will be added and shown on our website as planning progresses.

Thanks also to Joe AA4NN, who will be the QSL manager.

73,
Your Wake Island 2013 Team