North Cook / 1997, ZK1XXP
The Dateline DX Association will activate North Cook (ZK1) September 20 through September 27 using the call ZK1XXP. This operation follows the DDXA's successful operation from Wake Island as AL7EL / KH9 in January 1996
North Cook is currently number 86 on the ARRL's Most Wanted List and is even more elusive in Europe where it is ranked in the mid 20's. A need also exists on RTTY where it is in the mid 40s. 3 stations will be active on 10 through 160 using beams, verticals and a Battle Creek Special for 80 and 160. Serious attention will be paid to 40, 80 and 160 meters. One station will be devoted to RTTY exclusively. A major goal of this operation is to establish a presence on the low bands as was done during the Wake Island operation. A detailed story of that operation can be found in the May 1997 issue of CQ magazine.
A major multimode all band operation from this location has not been attempted because of difficulty in getting large amounts of equipment to the North Cook Group. In an effort to make this operation successful, all equipment was shipped from Oakland, CA. via ship on June 30th in route to Rarotonga where it will be forwarded to the island of Penrhyn.
Operators are K8XP(ex AL7EL), N7RO, N4RF(ex AB4AE), WA4YBV, KI6AN, ZS8IR and N6MZ.
Sponsors are HRO, ICOM, Hygain, Cushcraft, The Radio Works, Battle Creek Group, QRO, Patcomm, Astron, Alpha Delta, Dunestar, DX4WIN, MFJ, Heil and Svetlana for equipment. INDEXA, NCDXF, The 59(9) DXReport, WX9X and numerous clubs and individuals have provided financial assistance.
N1DG will provide a Web Site for information and on-line log checking.
Financial assistance from the DX community is being requested to assist in the paying of an estimated $3000 in equipment shipping and other related costs.
Please help to provide you with a new country, band countries or a new mode country. Any amount will be Appreciated. Donations can be sent to:
Robert Pond WA4YBV
9 River Cove
Portsmouth, VA. 23703Questions and commeats can be directed to Tom Harrell, K8XP, operation leader and coordinator. Telephone 906-864-3055 or Email to k4tsj@juno.com