Carolina DX Association W4DXA

Secondly, chemical warfare munitions were destroyed on the atoll (agent Orange and others). A large facility was built to accomplish this and hundreds of workers were assigned to the atoll. Some of them have attempted to claim disability due to exposure but have been met with heavy pushback from the Government and their contractors. The only remaining structure is the JOC (Joint Operations Center) and that is in disrepair though quite usable. More recently, the atoll had been infested with "Crazy Yellow Ants"! Yes, that is the street name for anoplolepis gracilipes. (Look it up!) These ants are not indigenous on the atoll and USFWS was tasked to eradicate the CYAs. The CYAs excrete a very acidic substance which gets into the eyes of the sea birds causing them to lose their sight and therefore unable to forage. There have been multiple USFWS volunteer crews on the atoll. These crews live on the atoll, usually for 6 month intervals. They freely roam the atoll and have posted a few YouTube videos of the atoll. USFWS has done a remarkable job and the infestation seems to be at an end. That is some of the history...so now for the Amateur Radio part! In an attempt to obtain landing permission, multiple proposals have been submitted to the USAF. Initially, the process appeared to be fast tracked. The USAF was aware of the very positive feedback we received after the Wake Atoll operation. For Johnston, the USAF was given a very contained 'foot print' of our operations. Our set-up would be self contained and restricted to wherever area USAF deemed safe and of short duration (2 weeks). We would be self financed, have appropriate medical personnel with us, and follow the same protocols as the USFWS volunteers for ingress and egress to the atoll. Additionally, we offered the USAF compensation for any USAF supervision required on the atoll. The Amateur Team individually signed a Waiver of Responsibility, which effectively eliminated any chance of legal action for any reason. The Waiver was a Department Of Defense (DoD) authored document which assured the US Government of complete isolation. Progress moved ahead nicely until a single Colonel objected on the basis of potentially hazardous material being brought back to our point of embarkation(Hawaii) by personnel's clothing and/ or other material. Any assurances given, such as we would follow the exact protocol as the dozens of USFWS personnel and further, we would be under the supervision of the USAF, fell on deaf ears. Multiple resubmissions were sent to the good Colonel's chain of command, up to an including the Secretary of the USAF in the Pentagon. All were summarily dismissed or simply unanswered. Literally, hundred of hours have been invested in the multiple iterations of an Operations Plan, Logistics Plan, soliciting personnel for the operation, attempting to get support from US Senator and Representatives (tough going!), issuing Freedom of Information applications, and on and on. Quick side note. The FOIs, which were issued to obtain the true 'why was the operation nixed' were answered with mostly redacted information. The only information not blacked out was the title of the emails and some small chit chat! Further FOI requests asked for specific documents detailing the hazard potential expressed by the Colonel (There was dialog between the Colonel and other USAF departments). Again nothing of value was forwarded. Summarized: Using the guise that hazardous material would be transported off the atoll is simply another way of saying, it isn't in their mission. Stating the atoll is unsafe seems disingenuous as literally hundreds of USFWS personnel have lived on the atoll for extended periods, roamed the atoll, dove and fished in the lagoon and even farmed vegetables in the soil. The USAF has a mission and that mission does not include Amateur Radio. All hope is not lost. Sooner or later, the Johnston will be turned over from the USAF to the USFWS. The Pacific Region USFWS have been open to Amateur Radio operations as long as their terms are met. So if we live long enough, who knows! Don't ask me how I know the finite details....I would have to deny any and all knowledge! Best DX 73 Lou N2TU

Vaccine distribution both in the United States and around the world is lagging behind what was planned. In addition, the emergence of a more communicable form of the COVID-19 virus increases the potential for further public health problems in the next few months. We make this difficult decision for the safety of our guests and vendors. Those who had their tickets deferred last year will be deferred again. Stay tuned for information about a QSO party for the Hamvention weekend. We’ll be back next year!!! Executive Committee, Dayton Hamvention 2021

The COVID pandemic has brought such uncertainty regarding how and if the Charlotte Hamfest could be held next spring that we realized that the event would fall short of everyone’s expectations. We don’t want to put on an event that is less than you deserve. Plan to join us March 11th & 12th, 2022 when we all will have an exciting and good time. I know that many of us are extremely disappointed, including me, but after last year's experience we need to face the reality that we couldn't bring together 1,600+ participants in the ways that we enjoy so much. The Cabarrus Arena & Event Center has been extremely helpful. We'll look to 2022! Steven Burke KI4FAQ MARS President

Reason for the change is because the 'mailman' reflector does not have the ability to send images, attachments and sometimes links. The 'Groups.io' email reflector gives us the ability to add images, attachments, links, etc. to emails going out to all members. It also gives us some new tools like polls, etc Previous an email was sent to all CDXA members inviting you to join the CDXAMembers@Groups.io. All CDXA members joining the CDXAMembers@groups.io must be approved before you can use it. The approval process is an unfortunate necessity given people who would abuse the service.

Go to https://www.cdxa.org/w4qsl-bureau/index.php Enter your call sign in the blank box next to "Submit Query" and press ENTER. If your sorter has put your data on line (about half of the sorters have) you will immediately find out the status of your QSL file. If you sorter has NOT put your data on line or if you want additional information, your sorter's email address is there. You can click on the link and send an inquiry to your sorter. The number one frustration that I hear from our sorters is when they receive incoming QSL cards and there are no envelopes, funds or instructions from you about how you want your cards handled. So once again, help our volunteers by making your wishes known. We have tried to make it easy for you to tell us what to do with your cards. Go to the link above. Scroll down the page and you will find ways to get envelopes on file with the bureau. I thank you in advance for your halp and your sorters will be pleased as well Paul Sturpe, W3GQ QSL Bureau Mgr. 4th Call Area W4 K4 N4 Prefixes

You should use an accurate scale to weigh your cards. Most post offices have scales that you may use. Please pay by check (or money order) and write your call sign on the check. Send cash at your own risk. DO NOT send postage stamps or IRCs. Please make checks payable to: “The ARRL Outgoing QSL Service.” Packages received with insufficient payment will not be processed until the balance is paid in full. The outgoing QSL bureau does not keep money on account. For complete information see www.arrl.org/outgoing-qsl-service.