Ohio DXers denied Desecheo Island (KP5) landing permit

The US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) has again said "no" to four Ohio radio amateurs seeking to visit Desecheo Island (KP5), a prized DX location that's on the top-ten "most-needed list" for DXCC.

The denial came in a letter from the FWS to US Rep Mike Turner (R-OH) of Dayton, who acted on behalf of well-known DXer and contester Harry Flasher, AC8G, and three other
members of the South West Ohio DX Association (SWODXA). Flasher was on Desecheo in the 1980s.

A small island about 14 miles off the northwestern corner of Puerto Rico, Desecheo Island is a national wildlife refuge and under FWS jurisdiction.

The FWS told Turner that the Desecheo National Wildlife Refuge "is closed to all public entry for safety reasons due to unexploded ordinance (artillery shells) in the area." The island once was the site of war games. The FWS has not issued Amateur Radio permits since 1993.

As it has in earlier denials, the FWS also raised the specter of problems with Caribbean drug traffickers in turning down the latest request. The FWS also has continued to deny access to Navassa Island (KP1), over which it also has jurisdiction. Navassa is on the most-needed list for DXCC as well.

The SWODXA group had requested access to a small landing beach--a manmade gravel patch the group feels is far away from potential contact with unexploded artillery shells. ARRL Ohio Section Manager Joe Phillips, K8QOE, said the group has not given up its attempts to gain permission to land on
and operate from Desecheo Island.

Joe Phillips, K8QOE

Source: ARRL Letter - courtesy of The American Radio Relay League

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