*EDITORIAL* The Pacific’s ‘MOST WANTED’

– March 29, 2020Posted in: Editorials

From the Arctic Ocean in the north to the Southern Ocean in the south, the Pacific is the largest and deepest oceanic sector in the world, covering more than 30% of the total Earth’s surface.

Among the Pacific’s 25,000 + islands are a diminutive collection of DXCC — or Divisions as they’re known in the 11m world — entities that remain elusive to the Eleven Meter DX Community; highly hunted DXCC that have NEVER before been QRV on 26-27 MHz frequencies.

Problematic for aspiring Freeband DXpeditioners from a logistical, political or geographical perspective, they remain the most eagerly pursued of all 352 divisions on this band.

This special DA-RC Editorial will identify the Pacific Ocean’s never before activated 11m divisions; the ATNO contacts which, when they eventually do come to fruition, will generate an adrenaline rush like no other for the serious DX Hunter.

The article will also expose radio related detail and a brief report on each “Most Wanted” Division.

A special Cycle 25 adjudication based on accessibility for a small 11m DXpedition Team comprising 2-3 persons, or sole operator, ranging from POSSIBLE to UNLIKELY to HIGHLY UNLIKELY will also be given.

MOST WANTED:

  • DXCC:  Auckland & Campbell Islands
  • Division:  282 
  • IOTA Reference/s:  OC-037 (Campbell, Jeanette Marie, Hook Keys, Dent, Survey, Wasp, Monowai, Seagull Rock & Jacquemart) / OC-074 (Auckland, Adams, Disappointment, Enderby, Ewing, Rose)
  • Ham Prefix: ZL9
  • CQ Zone: 32
  • ITU Zone: 60
  • Grid Locator: RD47
  • Long/Lat: 52°32′24″S / 169°8′42″E
  • Description:  700 km south of New Zealand’s South Island and 270 km south-east of Auckland Island which makes up the same DXCC, this is an uninhabited subantarctic DXCC administered by the NZ Government comprising 2 x IOTA Groups and many island DXstinations.  Periodic visits are undertaken here by Navy to maintain a WX station on Campbell Island (Motu Ihupuku) and transport conservation staff.  Other visitors include occasional summer time ecotourism cruises.
  • Accessibility Rating:  UNLIKELY

MOST WANTED:

  • DXCC: Conway Reef (Ceva-I-Ra Reef)
  • Division: 321
  • IOTA Ref: OC-112
  • Ham Prefix: 3D2
  • CQ Zone: 32
  • ITU Zone: 56
  • Grid Locator: RG78HG
  • Long/Lat: 21°44′18″S / 174°38′24″E
  • Description:  A coral atoll under the jurisdiction of the Fiji Government, Conway Reef is 2.5 km long in an east-west direction.  On the middle of the reef is a small sand cay, 1.8m high and about 320m long and 73m wide, with a land area of 2 ha.  A stranded wreck of a coaster lies 240m south of the centre of the cay, and the wreck of a fishing vessel lies on the northeast end of the reef. Conway Reef is 450 km southwest and 2 days sail from Fiji.
  • Accessibility Rating:  UNLIKELY

MOST WANTED:

  • DXCC:  Wake Atoll
  • Division:  278
  • IOTA Ref: OC-053 (Peale, Wake/Halcyon/Helsion, Wilkes)
  • Ham Prefix:  KH9
  • CQ Zone: 31
  • ITU Zone: 65
  • Grid Locator: RK39
  • Long/Lat: 19°17′43″N / 166°37′52″E
  • Description: A US territory also claimed by Marshall Islands, Wake Atoll is composed of 3 islets and a reef surrounding a central lagoon. The nearest inhabited island is Utirik in the Marshall Islands, 953 km to the southeast.  Air transportation facilities on Wake Island are operated by the US Air Force.
  • Accessibility Rating: UNLIKELY

MOST WANTED:

  • DXCC:  Jarvis & Palmyra Islands
  • Division:  273
  • IOTA Reference/s: OC-081 (Jarvis/Bunker/Volunteer/Brook) / OC-085 (Kingman Reef, Palmyra)
  • Ham Prefix: KH5
  • CQ Zone: 31
  • ITU Zone: 61, 62
  • Grid Locator: AJ85
  • Long/Lat: 5°53′1″N / 162°4′42″W
  • Description:  An unoccupied atoll, administered by the US government, this 12 km2 territory hosts a temporary population of approx. 25 staff, scientists and scholars.  The Nature Conservancy owns and operates the only airplane runway and by boat it’s a 5–7 day sail from Honolulu. Tourists are allowed to visit.
  • Accessibility Rating: UNLIKELY

MOST WANTED:

  • DXCC: Minami Torishima Island (Southern Bird Island / Marcus Island)
  • Division: 270
  • IOTA Ref: OC-073
  • Ham Prefix: JD1
  • CQ Zone: 27
  • ITU Zone: 45
  • Grid Locator: QL64
  • Long/Lat: 24°17′12″N / 153°58′50″E
  • Description: The easternmost island of the Japanese archipelago, Minami Torishima is an isolated coral atoll.  There are no commercial boat tours or flights to the island and civilians are not allowed access.  Japan Meteorological Agency personnel, Japan Self-Defense Forces and the Japan Coast Guard serve on the island for a limited period of time, and in limited numbers.
  • Accessibility Rating: Unlikely

MOST WANTED:

  • DXCC: Mellish Reef
  • Division: 269
  • IOTA Ref: OC-072
  • Ham Prefix: VK9M
  • CQ Zone: 30
  • ITU Zone: 56
  • Grid Locator: QH72WO
  • Long/Lat: 17° 24′ 39″ South / 155° 53′ 25″ East
  • Description: An external territory of Australia, Mellish is 1080 km East of Cairns, 1150 km NNE of Brisbane and 1100 km West of Port Vila.  The only land mass is Herald’s Beacon, a 300m x 60m sand cay which stands 2m above the high water line. There are no lights or beacons and it can be difficult to approach.  The nearest point of habitation is the Bureau of Meteorology facility on Willis Island about 644 km away.
  • Accessibility Rating:  POSSIBILE

MOST WANTED:

  • DXCC:  Kure Atoll
  • Division: 267
  • IOTA Ref: OC-020 (Sand & Green Islands)
  • Ham Prefix: KH7
  • CQ Zone: 31
  • ITU Zone: 61
  • Grid Locator: AL08
  • Long/Lat: 28°25′N / 178°20′W
  • Description:  89 km WNW of Midway Atoll in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, Kure is administered by the Hawaii Dept of Land and Natural Resources.  The only land of significant size is Green Island and this is a habitat for thousands of seabirds.  A short, unused and unmaintained runway and a portion of one building, both from a former US Coast Guard LORAN station, are located on the island.
  • Accessibility Rating:  HIGHLY UNLIKELY

MOST WANTED:

  • DXCC: Kingman Reef (Now Deleted)
  • Division: 264
  • IOTA Ref: (ex-OC-096) (OC-085)
  • Ham Prefix: KH5K
  • CQ Zone: 61
  • ITU Zone: 61
  • Grid Locator: AJ86
  • Long/Lat: 6°23′N /162°25′W
  • Description:  A largely submerged, uninhabited triangular-shaped reef and unincorporated territory of the US, Kingman Reef is now part of the Palmyra DXCC.  It is closed to the public.
  • Accessibility Rating: UNLIKELY

MOST WANTED:

  • DXCC: Kermadec Islands
  • Division: 263
  • IOTA Ref: OC-39 (Macauley, Raoul, Curtis islands)
  • Ham Prefix: ZL8
  • CQ Zone: 32
  • ITU Zone: 60
  • Grid Locator: AG10AS
  • Long/Lat: 29°16′37″S / 177°55′24″W
  • Description: Part of New Zealand, 33.6 km2 in total area and uninhabited, except for the permanently manned Raoul Island Station which consists of a government meteorological and radio station, and a hostel for Department of Conservation staff.  Visits are restricted by the Department of Conservation.  They allow visits to Raoul by volunteers assisting in environmental restoration or monitoring projects, and others engaged in nature study.
  • Accessibility Rating:  POSSIBLE

MOST WANTED:

  • DXCC:Johnston Atoll (Kalama Atoll)
  • Division: 262
  • IOTA Ref: OC-023 (Johnston, Sand, Akau & Hikina islands)
  • Ham Prefix: KH3
  • CQ Zone: 31
  • ITU Zone: 61
  • Grid Locator: AK56
  • Long/Lat: 16°44′13″N / 169°31′26″W
  • Description: A 2.67 square km territory of the USA administered by the US Fish and Wildlife Service and closed to public entry.  The islands contain some low-growing vegetation and palm trees on mostly flat terrain and no natural freshwater resources.  Johnston Atoll Airfield is present.
  • Accessibility Rating: HIGHLY UNLIKELY

MOST WANTED:

  • DXCC: Baker & Howland Islands
  • Division: 260
  • IOTA Ref: OC-089 (Baker and Howland Islands)
  • Ham Prefix: KH1
  • CQ Zone: 31
  • ITU Zone: 61
  • Grid Locator:  AJ10
  • Long/Lat: 0°48′24″N / 176°36′59″W
  • Description: Uninhabited islands managed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service.  Howland is only visited by a few scientists who go to count sea birds, check on vegetation and move on after 2 days.
  • Accessibility Rating: HIGHLY UNLIKELY

MOST WANTED:

  • DXCC: Macquarie Island
  • Division: 129
  • IOTA Ref: AN-005 (Bishop & Clerk , Judge & Clefd  & Macquarie)
  • Ham Prefix: VK0M
  • CQ Zone: 30
  • ITU Zone: 60
  • Grid Locator: QD95
  • Long/Lat: 54°30′0″S / 158°57′0″E
  • Description:  About 34 km long and 5 km wide, with an area of128 km2.  Companies offering cruises to Antarctica via Macquarie include Quark Expeditions, Aurora Expeditions, Heritage Expeditions & Chimu Adventures.  Most inhabitants are engaged in scientific research or tradespeople such as carpenters, cooks and electricians.  There are no ports so visitors are put ashore on small boats.
  • Accessibility Rating: UNLIKELY

MOST WANTED:

  • DXCC: Ducie
  • Division: 343
  • IOTA Ref: OC-182 (Acadia, Pandora, Westward and Edwards Islets)
  • Ham Prefix: VP6/D
  • CQ Zone: 32
  • ITU Zone: 63
  • Grid Locator: CG75
  • Long/Lat: 24°40′09″S / 124°47′11″W
  • Description:  An uninhabited atoll, shaped in an arc, 2 km long and 300 m wide, Ducie is located 470 km east of Pitcairn Island.  An immense coral reef and some islets complete the circle.  Vegetation is sparse due to the lack of fresh water.
  • Accessibility: HIGHLY UNLIKELY

MOST WANTED:

  • DXCC: Swains Island
  • Division: 345
  • IOTA Ref: OC-200
  • Ham Prefix: KH8/S
  • CQ Zone: 32
  • ITU Zone: 62
  • Grid Locator: AH48
  • Long/Lat: 11°03′20″S / 171°04′40″W
  • Description: A 1.5 square km atoll in the Tokelau chain, administered by the US, Swains is privately owned by the Eli Hutchinson Jennings family and used as a copra plantation.  The village of Taulaga is on the island’s west side.  The population of 17 Tokelauans harvest the island’s coconuts.
  • Accessibility Rating: POSSIBLE

The information provided in this article is for the sole purpose of guiding potential dx adventurists whom might combine to realise one of our 11m DX Community’s most sacred crowns — a never before activated Division.

While sole-operator activity is achievable from 1 or 2 of these DXstinations, the best chance of seeing such hotly sought after entities appear on the air is via……

  1. a sympathetic ham team who tolerates 11m operations and allows them to occur parallel with ops on traditional ham bands; or
  2. a large team of ham operators (6-7) whose passion is 11m

73 de Darren, 43DA001