[South Florida DX Association] Desecheo 2009

[Dave Novoa]

 KP5, DESECHEO ISLAND (Press Release #2, November 23rd - DXpedition Dates 
Announced). "The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service has notified the team that 
February 12-26, 2009, will be the dates allocated for the radio operation. 
These dates are coordinated with other USFWS research activities scheduled 
on other parts of Desecheo Island as well as scheduling USFWS security 
personnel for the camp.  Fifteen operators will be allowed on the island at 
any given time. A  total of 6-8 stations will be operational, including 
160-6 meters.

A reconnaissance trip to Desecheo is scheduled for Friday, December 19th. 
Three team members, USFWS personnel and an UXO (unexploded ordnance) expert 
will sweep and clear the assigned area of UXO and other hazards. There will 
be no radio operations.

The 15-man team will assemble in Puerto Rico on February 8, 2009, for 
mandatory UXO training. The next three days will include team operations 
training, and last minute preparation and staging of the several tons of 
equipment for transport. On February 12th, landing will commence and two 
stations will be immediately activated.   Likewise, stations will continue 
to operate until the final moments before departure on February 26th.

Halfway through the operation, on February 19th, approximately half of the 
operating team will be replaced with fresh operators for the final week.

The team has been diligently planning antennas and propagation paths to take 
advantage of every possible band opening to Asia, where Desecheo is #2 on 
the Most Wanted List and to Europe, where it is #3 on the Most Wanted List.

 Contributions are being solicited. To assist us and for the latest news, 
please go to the team's website:         http://www.kp5.us

 73,
Glenn Johnson, W0GJ
Bob Allphin, K4UEE
Desecheo 2009 co-leaders