While today’s weather was much better than the torrential rain yesterday, the RF environment proved to be quite challenging with the IARU HF Contest underway today and tomorrow.  It was hard to hold a frequency open.  On top of that, the TS-570D simply refused to enter RX from time to time.

Nevertheless, Paul K1YBE, John K1JSM, Willy W1LY, Pete W1LAB, and Jim KA1ZOU actually had a very successful activation of Nashawena Island, making it officially MA017S about a half-hour after getting on the air.  Thanks to all the stations that helped and continued to contact them.

Nashawena Island is privately owned, and permission to go ashore is quite difficult to obtain. In a process that began months ago, they finally received permission yesterday and immediately changed their plans to activate it today.

Nashawena is located right next to Cuttyhunk, on the eastern end of the Elizabeth Islands

The bands were quite full today, busy with the IARU HF Contest, but they managed to find a hole to operate in.

Pileups were impressive all day long as you can hear here:

The Island only has 2 full time residents who tend to it and the cattle that graze there:

Two of the many cattle on the island, with Jim KA1ZOU logging, and Willy W1LY at the mic

Jim KA1ZOU logging, Willy W1LY at mic, John K1JSM sitting, and Paul K1YBE standing

The photos have been provided by Pete W1LAB who always is behind the lens, but here is a picture of him aboard the support boat:

Pete W1LAB hears that happy news that Nashawena can be activated

Support boats in foreground. John’s cabin cruiser and Pete’s RIB.  Antenna at waterline.