Repost: KH7AL/KH9 – Wake Island, OC-053 DXpedition

Over the past two weeks on Wake Island, I've been fully immersed in a whirlwind of ham radio activity. Although work kept me busy and limited my blog updates, I managed to post several new entries and share photos of an old transmitter site on Wake.

Recent Highlights:

• Massive QSO Growth: Since February 21, I've been on the air every day—9 consecutive days—logging over 1,400 QSOs (mostly on CW). Thank you all for your patience as I work on refining my CW operating skills.
• Scheduled Activities:
  • March 9, 07:00–09:00 local time: 17m CW, calling CQ to Europe.
  • March 9, ~20:00 local time: 10m SSB session.
• Antenna Upgrades & Experimentation:
  I recently tested a new 10m VDA antenna, which delivered impressive gain compared to my usual dipoles, enabling me to pull in weaker signals. I'm also planning to build a 15m version based on insights from fellow DXers.
• Technical & Log Updates:
  I’ve been working on building a new DX Commander vertical after work, and with the generous donations via PayPal, I'm also on the wait list for a Hexbeam from Buddipole to boost my performance even further.
• Life on Wake:
  Between radio sessions, I've taken time to explore the island, even posting photos of interesting artifacts I found along the shore. I've also updated my website with my latest activities and QSL information.
• Looking Ahead:
  I plan to remain on Wake for about another month before a short break, after which I'll return for an extended rotation. In April, I might even pop up from a Montana mountain for some SOTA activity—so stay tuned!