KH9/KH7AL - Wake Island

[4L5A]

KH7AL/KH9 Wake Island News
Aloha, Friends of Wake Island,

The past week it was fun to get back on with more CW (15m and 30m). Additionally a couple FT8 sessions netted a boat load of contacts. Well, a small to medium sized boat. Whatever kind of boat that would fit approximately 850 FT8 contacts in… that kind of boat.

What am I on about? Anyway, I just uploaded those logs to LoTW now that their website is back up and running after their system upgrade.
Upcoming Amateur Radio Schedule

Here’s when I plan to be on the air this week (UTC times shown):
• 03 July ~ 07:00 – 11:00, 20m SSB
• 04 July ~ 07:00 – 09:00, 17m SSB
• 06 July ~ 07:00 – …?, 17m FT8 Fox/Hound, 18.095 if available
• 06 July ~ 20:00 – …?, 20m SSB (demo day for future Wake Island hams)
• 08 July ~ 16:30 – 19:00, 17m FT8 Fox/Hound, 18.095 if available
• 09 July ~ 16:30 – 19:00, 17m CW
• 10 July ~ 16:30 – 19:00, 17m SSB
20m and 40m likely the following week. Stay tuned.
As always, thank you for the contacts and for being part of this amazing hobby.

73,
Allen – KH7AL/KH9
info@kh7al.site

Photo below was taken on Wake Island. Sun behind billowing clouds, and a bird watching me take its picture.

[4L5A]

Aloha, Friends of Wake Island,

I made it through my all-night CW (Morse code) and FT8 radio adventure on June 15! I was on the air from about 0800 to 1630 UTC—that’s just past 5 a.m. local time. Safe to say I won’t be doing that too often, but it was a fun break from the routine.

Conditions were good: 17 meters worked well for both CW and FT8, and 20 meters on FT8 kept the logbook filling until nearly sunrise.

________________________________________

Upcoming Amateur Radio Schedule

Here’s when I plan to be on the air this week (UTC times shown):

June 19 | 07:00–10:00 (hard stop time)
• 40m FT8 Super Fox — Look for me around 7.056 MHz
• I’ll switch to Fox/Hound mode once things settle down
June 20 | 21:00–24:00
• 17m CW
June 22 | 16:30–19:00
• 17m FT8 Super Fox — Around 18.095 MHz
June 23 | 01:30–05:00
• 15m CW
June 25z| 16:30–19:00
• 20m FT8 Super Fox — Around 14.091 MHz

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New to FT8 Fox/Hound Mode or Want a Refresher?
I recently wrote a short blog post with helpful FT8 Tips and Tricks based on the WSJT-X DXpedition Mode User Guide. It’s a quick read and might help you get even more out of your next session.

As always, thank you for the contacts and for being part of this amazing hobby.

73,
Allen – KH7AL/KH9
info@kh7al.site

[4L5A]

KH9/KH7AL News
KH9 Weekly Update

Hello friends,

Short and sweet, and late on the update.

Well, it has been a busy week-and-a-half at work. Not much time for extracurricular activities. Tonight however, I plan to stay up as late as I can on 17 meters. CW will be up first. Around 10:30 UTC I will change to FT8 with Super Fox, then switch over to Fox/Hound when the pile starts to subside.

Band conditions are looking surprisingly good for a change. I’m looking forward to a good night on the radio. My coffee pot is armed and ready to go.

The upcoming activity schedule is sparse on my website but I will be adding more dates soon.

? Upcoming Activity Schedule
• 15 Jun ~ 08:00 – 10:00 UTC, 17m CW
o 10:00 – 10:30, coffee break
• 15 Jun ~ 10:30 – 16:00 UTC, 17m FT8 Super Fox mode, 18.095 if available.

As always, 73 and thanks for all the contacts. You make the chaos worth it.

Happy Father’s Day to all the dads out there.

Allen ~ KH7AL/KH9
info@kh7al.site

Wake Island QSO Count: 15,500

[4L5A]

KH9/KH7AL Wake Island News
Hey folks,

This week’s blog post is a wild one—literally. Let’s just say it involves a machete, two stitches, some angry wasps, and the rescue of a stranded buggy. (Yes, it’s as ridiculous as it sounds and I might be retiring the machete… maybe.)

In radio news, I managed a solid 17m CW activation on Thursday (29 May)—surprisingly productive despite less-than-stellar solar conditions. 239 contacts (mostly with my JA neighbors). Thanks to all who pulled me out of the mess and made it into the log!

Looking ahead:
Later this week, I’ll be doing initial FT8 testing using SuperFox mode on 30m—so if you’ve been itching for a KH9 contact, keep an ear out. More details on timing will be posted via POTA spots or on X.

Upcoming Activity Schedule

All times listed are UTC. (Current as of: 31 May, 00:30)
• 31 May ~ 07:00 - 10:00, 17m FT8, 18.095
• 01 Jun ~ 07:00 - 10:00, 30m CW
• 05 Jun ~ 07:00 - 10:00, 30m FT8 SuperFox mode, 10.131 if available.
• 08 Jun ~ 19:30 - 23:59, 10m SSB
• 09 Jun ~ 01:30 - 05:00, 12m FT8 SuperFox mode, 24.911 if available.

• CW activations: Hello EU. Expect continued ops on 15m and 17m when band conditions allow
• Disc golf-related injuries: Hopefully none, but no promises

? Read the full blog post here:
Machete Mishap, Wasps, and CW on Wake Island

As always, 73 and thanks for all the contacts. You make the chaos worth it.

Allen ~ KH7AL/KH9

[4L5A]

KH7AL/KH9 Wake Island News
Hello friends of Wake Island,

It’s been a quirky week on the bands. I just posted a new blog update where I dive into the FT8 slowdown (thank you, solar activity), my first plans to test out SuperFox mode in WSJT-X, and why Wake Island might be “sinking”—don't worry, just metaphorically—on the DX Most Wanted List.
? Catch the latest blog post here:
Read: FT8 Slow, SuperFox Trials, Wake Island DX Update

→ Also, in case you missed it the prior week—I joined the All Across America podcast (Ep. #62) to chat about operating from Wake Island, the quirks of digital modes, and what it’s like logging thousands of QSOs from a coral atoll. It was a blast. ?
?️ Listen to the episode here:
? AllAcrossAmerica.com
? Apple Podcasts
? Spotify


Upcoming Activity:
All times listed are UTC. (Updated 21 May, 23:30)
• 24 May ~ 07:00 – 10:00, 15m FT8
• 26 May ~ 20:00 – 23:59, 15m CW
• 29 May ~ 07:00 – 10:00, 17m CW
• 31 May ~ 07:00 – 10:00, 17m FT8
• 01 Jun ~ 07:00 – 10:00, 30m CW

Thanks again for all the continued support and QSOs. Catch you on the air!

73,
Allen ~ KH7AL/KH9

[4L5A]

Hello Wake Island friends,

I would not call it a come-back but I think I am figuring out this FT8 thing. Since 10 May I have logged over 3300 FT8 contacts. That has lifted my spirits and I feel compelled to end May on a high note. I have loaded my calendar up with several active times through the end of the month to creat a little May-ham on the airways. Let us hope for good band condtions.

Speaking of a lot of contacts, that dive into the FT8 pool resulted in a big jump in emails to my inbox. So many that it got overloaded and I am still digging out. I have since upgraded that service to one that has a larger capacity. If you want to send me an email you can now do so to: info@kh7al.site. Just give me a couple days to respond but I promise to do my best to get back to you.

Upcoming Activity: All times listed are UTC.
• 17 May ~ 07:00 – unitl I pass out, 17m FT8
• 18 May ~ 20:00 – 23:59, 12m FT8
• 21 May ~ 16:30 – 19:00, 17m SSB
• 24 May ~ 07:00 – 10:00, 15m FT8
• 26 May ~ 20:00 – 23:59, 15m CW
• 29 May ~ 07:00 – 10:00, 17m CW
• 31 May ~ 07:00 – 10:00, 17m FT8
• 01 Jun ~ 07:00 – 10:00, 30m CW

I only had time for one blog post this past week about my nearly 2000 QSOs in 24 hours: . More to follow soon and probably a video or two at my YouTube page

Thanks again for all the continued support and QSOs. Have a great weekend and I hope to catch you on the air soon!

73,
Allen ~ KH7AL/KH9

QSO count since November 2024 ~ 12200.

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KH9/KH7AL on 14078 now FT8.

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Hi team,

It’s been a mixed bag on the bands this week. I had a tough go on 20 meters with FT8—all my fault as I am still getting the hang of it. But I’m not backing down. I'm determined to master this digital mode so I can reach those stations who might otherwise miss the Wake Island connection. Stay tuned—more FT8 attempts are coming your way.

In more exciting news, I had the honor of being featured on the All Across America Podcast with Marc Vig! We dug into everything from my Air Force days to operating from Wake. You can listen to Episode #62 here:

? AllAcrossAmerica.com
? Apple Podcasts
? Spotify

Give it a listen and let me know what you think! Also, check out other interviews by Marc, from All Across America. I think you might like them.

Upcoming Activity:
? 11 May | ⏰ 19:30 – 23:00 UTC | ? 12m SSB
There may also be more FT8 sessions later next week—weather, propagation, and gear willing.

Lastly, if you watch my YouTube, please consider following my channel (@KH7AL) as I hope to post a video or two each month about Wake Island and some ham content as well.

Thanks again for all the continued support and QSOs. Catch you on the air!

73,
Allen ~ KH7AL/KH9

[4L5A]

KH7AL/KH9 Wake Island News
KH9 Weekly Update


This Week on Wake: Radios, Ruins & new videos on my YouTube Channel

Hey folks,

Big week out here on Wake Island! Richard (KR4CDI) and I made our first FT8 contacts using the new Icom IC-7300 and WSJT-X setup today. Might even be the first FT8 QSO from Wake—still checking on that. Either way, we’re on the air and testing the waters with the digital modes.

Also had the chance to kayak over to Peale Island (the bridge burned down years ago), where I explored WWII ruins, the old LORAN station, and caught sight of thousands of baby hermit crabs on the shore. It’s wild out there—in the best way.

Oh, and I’ve added several videos YouTube channel to share some of this island adventure with you. Quick videos, both ham radio content and historical walkthroughs, starting with Peale Island and a review of Big Signal’s DeltaFlex portable antenna.

? Read the full post & watch the videos on my @KH7AL YouTube Channel

Upcoming Activity
• 08 May ~ 07:00 - 09:00, 30m (CW or FT8… tough choice)
• 11 May ~ 19:30 - 23:00, 12m SSB

Thanks for following along—more updates coming soon as we dig deeper into the island’s history (and its radio potential).

73,
Allen – KH7AL/KH9

[4L5A]

KH9/KH7AL Wake Island News
Hey everyone!

Quick update from Wake Island!

This week, 17 meters lit up—over 230 QSOs logged in just two hours, with contacts ranging from Fiji and Costa Rica to Finland and Japan. It felt good to be back on the band after a bit of a break.

? Upcoming operating times (UTC):
• 27 April ~ 07:00 - 09:00, 20m SSB
• 04 May ~ off day for antenna building
• 08 May ~ 07:00 - 09:00, 30m CW
• 11 May ~ 19:30 - 23:00, 12m SSB

Also, in true "can't sit still" fashion, I built a trail. Yes, with a machete. It winds through a patch of forest near the old comms building—about 2km of shade and solitude. A great spot for running... or pretending you're in a Japanese forest doing Shinrin-yoku.

? Sneak a peek at the latest blog post here:

17 Meters, UK to Fiji – Free Floating and Trail Building

73,
Allen – KH7AL/KH9