I wanted to provide an update to all of you. We are in the final stages of getting all the required approvals to operate year round from Midway Atoll. I expect to hear something in next week or two. I do want to thank all of those who offered to volunteer as QSL manager. I had many emails from those who were willing to help. Because of my Internet connection, it is not possible for me to respond to all of you, but I did want to say thank you. Dick, N7RO will be the QSL manager. Thanks Dick! I look forward to working with you, and I hope to keep you very busy! Thanks also for asking around for donations of equipment. We really needed the 12VDC power supply and look forward to it's arrival. I also want to thank Yuri N3QQ, for sending out an R-5 Vertical antenna to us. It should arrive on the Island by early June. Right now, we have one IC-7000, but only a 12 Amp DC power supply, so our output power is limited to about 35/40 watts. We do have a home brew antenna we tested out on Sunday. We made two contacts just as we finished testing the SWR. We worked Don, KE5SPE who responded to our 20M CQ. We also worked Jack, KD7YDK who allowed us to break into a 20M QSO he was having with a ZL. Jack was so strong at 20 over, we just had to call him. We may make a few additional contacts as we continue to test the home brew antenna. We hate to keep asking, but we are in need of additional station accessories, like CW Keys (straight keys) and or paddles, Head-Sets, Rig Blasters, also if one can be spared, a smaller RF amp (1KW or less). Equipment can be returned at the end of the operation (one year or more) or at anytime you request it back. If you can help us out, please let me know. As of now, we are looking at mid-June to begin operating in Ernest, but will keep you all in the loop. Thanks very much.
73. Joe KH4/W5FJG
