FT8, a Visit to Peale Island, and New Videos Available
05 May 2025
FT8 - As Promised
May 5th marked the first day Richard (KR4CDI) made his first FT8 contact using our new Icom IC-7300 and WSJT-X software. Perhaps that was the first FT8 contact from Wake Island, not sure, either way it was fun to experiment with the rig and learn something along the way. As it was just a test we did not stay on the air long. I believe Richard logged a contact with a station in Japan and Brazil. Not to be left out, I also figured out how to get WSJT-X working on my Macbook and made 9 contacts. The word must have gotten out as the number of stations hailing me ramped up much faster than I could respond. Now I need to figure out the Fox/Hound mode of the FT8 program to handle multiple contacts more efficiently. More to come on that.
Peale Island Exploration
This week I had the chance to visit Peale Island for work. The Wake Atoll consists of Wilkes , Wake , and Peale Islands. Peale lies on the northwest side of the atoll and was the original site of Pan American Airways seaplane refueling stop. Back in the 1930’s, it even had a hotel for passengers—until the attack on the island in 1941.
Accessing Peale used to be easier until the bridge connecting Wake to Peale burned down in 2003. So to get there now, I had to (got to!) paddle a kayak across the narrow channel that separates the two islands. Once on the old road that bisected the island I ran into a wall of tropical overgrowth. I had to bushwhack a bit to pick up the road again. Tree roots burst through crumbling asphalt , and vines tangled the path , giving it that classic post-apocalyptic vibe. I passed the remains—or foundations—of structures, camouflaged among the trees and tall grass.
Nearing the end of Peale I found the old decommissioned U.S. Coast Guard LORAN station. To my surprise and joy, there was still electronic equipment left in the building. Other support buildings nearby were in rougher shape as they had clearly bourne the brunt of decades of salty air, tropical storms, and severe wave events that left the inside floors filled with rocks, sand, and driftwood.
Leaving the LORAN station I made my way to the northern shore then west to go find the old gun battery. Until recently it was still upright, but again, severe storms here have caused the gun turret and barrel to topple over into the sea. Just nearby along the shore’s edge I came across thousands of baby hermit crabs, some still molting their larval outer body from their legs while testing out their new seashell homes. It looked like quite the hermit crab party.
Rounding the end of the island and south along the lagoon side of the island was a nice change as the wind was largely blocked from the island trees. The turquoise blue-green water of the lagoon never gets old to look at—the colors continually shift under puffy Pacific clouds floating overhead. In the water I could see schools of fish and an occasional ray and eel.
Overall, it was a great time exploring the island. I hope to get back soon to further investigate the Pan Am hotel grounds.
Videos Now Available
If I was not already busy enough, I committed myself to contributing more to my YouTube channel to supplement my blog. My goal is to help share the experience of Wake Island —its ham radio activity and its rich history—with more people.
I’ve already posted four short videos (I try to keep them sweet—I respect your time). When you get a moment, I’d love for you to check them out:
- Peale Island Exploration
- A quick review of Big Signal’s new DeltaFlex portable antenna , which I had the chance to test right here on Wake
