KS4AZ 1960 Swan Island

This DXpedition to Swan Island was by members of the Potomac Valley Radio Club, Ralph W3KA, Dick W4JNE, and Vic Clark W4KFC. They went to operate the 1st weekend of the ARRL CW DX contest. After overcoming several obstacles, they made 2,542 QSO's in the contest and 4,590 QSO's with all 50 states and 64 countries during their 8 day stay on the island.

Navigating soley with the aid of a sextant, Captain Johnny made a perfect landfall within 5 minutes of his prediction.

Ralph W3KA holds a RS6 transmitter. This transmitter was used KS4AZ/MM and was one of the transmitters used during their stay on the island.

This is how they got to the island from their larger boat "Don Emilio B".

Dick W4JNE at the 20 meter position.

The hamshack and 20 meter beam.

They got special permission from the FCC to operate 160M for the 2 evenings of the DX contest. They ran 50W from 1.800 to 1.805 Mhz (below the loran signal). They operated for 2 hours and made 45 QSO's on top band.

QSL courtesy of W0QZR / N0BB
Info & Photos courtesy of California Historical Radio Society via K6VK