[NCDXA] Wake and Johnston

[Fred Matos]

Hello DXers,
My government spectrum management job involves dealing with federal agencies, one of which is the Dept. of the Interior.
DOI has a spectrum management office; and some years ago, the director was Michael "Sparky" Terry, KD4KL.
Sparky and I became good friends, and we stay in touch even after he retired abt 20 years ago.
One of Sparky's responsibilities at DOI was to occasionally travel to the DOI Pacific Islands and inspect, etc.
He used to take a rig out there and make a few hundred QSOs. 
We exchanged holiday greetings recently, and I asked the question about possible DXpeditions to the islands.
We had some email exchanges that I am copying below.  He's been retired for a long time, so some of the info may not be valid, esp the USAF operations.  He talks about Johnston.  I followed up with a question on Wake that I waiting for a reply. 
It's too bad that we lost our best diplomat, K3ZO, who could provide his wisdom towards possible DXpeditions.
One possible strategy to get approval would be to include a research scientist, either a ham or not a ham, go with the DXpedition, with the DXpedition paying his way. The scientist would conduct research, etc.  Including a scientist could facilitate approval of the DXpedition.   
73
FredW3ICM
W3ICM to Sparky  Some of the guys in my DX club raised the point that islands likeJohnston and Wake have not been active for a long time.  Are they stillunder DOI??   If so, can hams do a DXpedition there?

 Would appreciate your advice on the islands.

 Sparky’s Reply

 Well, both are still nominally under control of the Department ofthe Interior/National Wildlife Service & both seem to have policiesdiscouraging activities not directly associated with environmental and/orwildlife studies.

 I understand the airfield on Johnston Island is no longer used bycommercial airlines so access (if approved) is no longer an option.  Noknown regular shipping  companies schedule visits to my knowledge.

 My guess is they would only allow operation by a ham operatorotherwise employed by the government or contractor on the island.

 W3ICM reply

 Some DXpeditions charter a large ship that stays until theDXpedition is over.

 So that’s possible, but DOI permission would be needed for agroup to go ashore.  

 We could ask DOI for permission,  maybe get a Congressmanto support the effort.

 Sparkyreply  It’spossible that a high level “political” approach could work. However in my daythere were several classified activities (USAF) ongoing that would, in myopinion, probably preclude approval.  

 You are correct regarding charter operators willing to go toeither of the islands, but even they would be required to obtain appropriateclearances in advance. 

 
 
 
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