It’s All-Time New One (ATNO) Days on Navassa Island. During the last two full days of its operation, the K1N DXpedition team will offer special opportunities for stations that have not yet worked K1N on any band or mode.

“[ATNO] means that you have not yet worked K1N on any band or any mode,” Chief K1N Pilot Bob Schenck, N2OO, said today. “They will have the log at their fingertips, so please do not call them if you already worked them.” Schenck caution operators to follow operators’ instructions, and that they may be calling for stations in specific areas.

There will be two ATNO operations.

• On Friday and Saturday, February 13 and 14, K1N will observe two Japan/Asia and Oceania ATNO Day operations on 15 meter SSB, from 2200 to 2400 UTC. The K1N transmit frequency will be approximately 21.205 MHz. Only Japan/Asia/Oceania stations needing Navassa Island as an all-time new one will be logged. Times may be extended.

• Saturday, February 14, will be Worldwide ATNO Day on 20 meter SSB, between 1300 and 2400 UTC. K1N will transmit on or about 14.240 MHz. Only stations needing Navassa Island as an all-time new one will be logged.

“The two 15 meter slots were selected to help our friends in deep Asia and Oceania who have not been able to work K1N have a realistic chance to work Navassa for an all-time new one,” Schenck explained.

Routine operation on other bands will occur during the ATNO activities. “But, let's be fair at this point to make sure that the little pistols have a chance,” Schenck advised. “It will be a very long time before Navassa comes back on the air.”

Departure Already Under Way

The K1N team is facing some adverse weather and already is starting to dismantle their equipment and prepare to depart on Sunday. Some operators already have left the island.

Earlier today, team member Glenn Johnson, W0GJ, reported that it has finished loading everything necessary onto the vessel Electra. Operators NM6Z, KT4TTT, and AA7JV are onboard Electra and were scheduled to leave Lulu Bay to get out of the way of the storm. “High seas are expected, but this will not affect helicopter off-loading, except for maybe a passing squall,” Johnson added. The 6 meter station and antenna are now packed.

“There will be one helicopter flight today [February 13] to carry back camp construction supplies and unneeded items. Two people will be on that flight, leaving 10 men on Navassa,” Johnson said.

Full radio operation will continue until daybreak on February 14, when the SteppIR beams will be taken down and all station gear packed, except for the three stations that will remain on the air until daybreak Sunday.

Johnson said the team is expecting three helicopter flights out by the end of the day on Saturday. Remaining behind to operate will be K9CT, WB9Z, and Johnson. “Their personal gear will already be off the island. The only thing to do Sunday morning is to pack the radios and take down the dipoles, as the helicopter will arrive early Sunday morning for the last flight,” he said.

“We've had so much fun and wish we could stay....but we all want some real showers and a real bed....and to see our families,” Johnson added. EEven with 125,000+ QSOs it is amazing that the pileups yesterday were almost as fierce as the very first couple of days.”