KP6PA Palmyra Atoll DXpedition

The KP6PA Palmyra Atoll DXpedition was an amateur radio expedition that took place in June and July 1974. The team operated two Yaesu FT-101B transceivers^[5] and was able to make approximately 6235 confirmed contacts using morse code and SSB voice.^[6]

KP6PA Palmyra Atoll DXpedition

Location of Palmyra Atoll
Photo of the coast of Palmyra Atoll
Dates Operated	June and July 1974 ^[1]
Bands Operated	10m-160m ^[2]
Modes Used	CW, SSB
Number of Contacts	6235 ^[3]
Number of Operators	4 ^[4]

During the activation of Palmyra Atoll the team helped rescue Duane "Buck" Walker; and his girlfriend, Stephanie Stearn who had run aground on a reef due to an inoperable engine.^[7][8] Due to tensions Walker The expedition was ended a day early and the team left for Kingsman Reef. After the team left Walker murdered Mac and Muff Graham who had anchored at the atoll and would later steal their boat the Sea Wind.^[9][10][11] Walker would be convicted of murder in 1985 and the book about the Sea Wind murders would become a bestseller.^[12]

References

1. Schenck, Bob (2016-07-01). Moseson, Richard; Feldman, Jason (eds.). "The Northern California DX Foundation: Supporting DX and DXing for 44 Years" (PDF). CQ Magazine. Hicksville, NY: CQ Communications Inc. Retrieved 2022-10-21.
2. KP6PA QSL on KP6 (Palmyra Atoll) 1974-06-23. 1974-06-23.
3. Essery, E. E. (1974-08-01). Forsyth, Austin (ed.). "Communication and DX News" (PDF). Short Wave Magazine. Vol. 32, no. 370. London, UK: Short Wave Magazine Ltf. Retrieved 2022-10-21.
4. Johnson, Glenn (2016). Shank, Debi (ed.). "K5P Palmyra 2016" (PDF). NCDXF Newsletter. Oakland, CA: Northern California DX Foundation. Retrieved 2022-10-21.
5. KP6PA QSL on KP6 (Palmyra Atoll) 1974-06-23. 1974-06-23.
6. Essery, E. E. (1974-08-01). Forsyth, Austin (ed.). "Communication and DX News" (PDF). Short Wave Magazine. Vol. 32, no. 370. London, UK: Short Wave Magazine Ltf. Retrieved 2022-10-21.
7. Epps, Rusty (2016-01-28). "Epps Discussing Palmyra Atoll". Palmyra Atoll Digital Archive Collection (Phone Recording). Interviewed by Jesse W Johnson. Retrieved 2022-10-22.
8. Wright, Andy (2015-12-07). "The Secret World of Ham Radio Tourists". Atlas Obscura. Retrieved 2022-10-22.
9. Turner, Wallace (1981-07-13). "Mystery On Pacific Atoll Leads To Murder Charge". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-10-22.
10. "Jury Finds Boat Thief Guilty In 1974 Pacific Island Murder". The New York Times. 1985-06-13. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-10-22.
11. Williams, Linda (2010-06-09). "Notorious atoll murderer dies after parole to Willits area". The Willits News. Retrieved 2022-10-22.
12. Ray, Karen (1991-02-10). "In Short: Nonfiction". The New York Times. p. 18. Retrieved 2022-10-22.