The K1N Navassa Island team has announced that it will hit the airwaves in about 4 weeks. While the team’s exact departure date from its staging area depends on the weather and the availability of US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) transportation, it appears that K1N will be up and running during the first 2 weeks in February. It’s been more than 22 years since Navassa Island (KP1) was last activated, and, according to the team, the USFWS will not allow another operation for at least another decade.

“This is a once in 32 years opportunity to work Navassa!” the team stressed in a December 30 media release. “Everyone can make the most of this opportunity by listening to the operator’s instructions and following the cadence of the operator.”

The team has estimated that it will take 2 full days of helicopter shuttles to transport everything needed to begin operations. “Because of the helicopter logistics, this will be a no-frills, minimum-comfort operation for the team,” the team said. “Meals will be MREs [military ‘meals ready to eat’]. The [shipping] container has been organized for a quick camp setup and quick radio/antenna setup to take advantage of every moment.”

ClubLog’s DXCC Most Wanted List puts Navassa Island at #1 on phone, #5 on CW, and #4 on digital modes. K1N will not be operating on all modes on all bands, the team’s statement noted, but plans to limit most bands to a specific mode, “so that we can work the pileups down to the last little pistol.”

According to the media release, a small team of USFWS personnel will accompany the radio amateurs, and the contingent will include “armed federal law enforcement officers.”

The K1N DXpedition is the recipient of an ARRL Colvin Award grant. Team members have contributed about one-half of the total budget and is accepting donations through the Northern California DX Foundation (NCDXF). The team has a presence on Facebook and Twitter (@navassa2015).

The DXpedition’s organizer, The KP1-5 Project, received word from the USFWS in October that it would be allowed to activate Navassa Island in early 2015, taking advantage of a time of year when bird nesting activity is minimal.

Headed by KP1-5 Project President Bob Allphin, K4UEE, the team includes 15 experienced operators. Navassa is more than 100 miles from the nearest helicopter staging point, and as many as 10 round trips may be needed at the start and finish of the operation.