VK9WA Middle Island Willis Islands

An international team of amateur radio operators, Rob N7QT, Jared N7SMI, Sandro VE7NY, Adam K7EDX, Hawk SM5AQD, Gus SM3SGP, Allan VE7SZ, will be active from Middle (Mid) Island, Willis Islands (Willis Islets) 14 – 23 November 2015 as VK9WA.
They will operate on 80 – 10m (possibly 160) CW, SSB, RTTY.
The team will depart Cairns, Australia on the MV Phoenix.
Middle (Mid) Island is only 4 acres in size and uninhabited.
Middle Island and Willis Islets are part of Coral Sea Islands Territory, Australia.
Willis Islets is currently Nr 34 on the Club Log most wanted list and not activated since 2008.
DXCC Country – Willis Islets
WAZ zone – CQ 30.
ITU Zone – 55.
RSGB IOTA – OC-007.
QTH Locator – QH43xs.

The VK9WA team will depart Cairns, Australia for the 30 hour, 450km boat trip to Middle Island (8km North of South Island where the Willis Island weather monitoring station is located). Middle Island is very small (about 4 acres) and entirely uninhabited – except for thousands of sea birds, crabs, and turtles. The on-air operation will last 10 days with high power CW, SSB, and RTTY on 160-10 meters (possibly 6 meters). Our primary focus will be providing all time new contacts with this highly demanded, rarely activated entity with an emphasis on difficult paths – primarily US East Coast, Europe, and Africa.

All activity is subject to weather and other contingencies. We will have extremely limited internet access while on the island, but plan near-realtime Club Log uploads via satellite.

Planning Progress VK9WA plans are coming together very well. We have 7 confirmed operators – Rob (N7QT), Jared (N7SMI), Sandro (VE7NY), Adam (K7EDX), Hawk (SM5AQD), Gus (SM3SGP), and Allan (VE7SZ). We will finalize the 8-man team very soon. This (relatively) young team brings a wealth of DXpedition and operating experience. We can’t wait to put Willis Island on the air! The Mid Islet landing and operating permits are in hand. The VK9WA radio license is in process. Our charter vessel, the MV Phoenix, has been secured. Detailed planning is underway for purchasing and renting the extensive equipment and tools necessary for this operation in Cairns, Australia before our departure. We express special appreciation to Gene (K5GS) who, while planning the TX3X Chesterfield Islands DXpedition, has taken significant time to provide insight and help to us in our planning process.