David, This was the explanation given to me by several reputable KP4's
when at the same time KP2A and myself were tryng to get clearly seperate
administration status for Water Isand which until recently was not part
of the USVI but a solely owned entity under the Navy Department and then
Interior. Water Island was given a total lease hold to Mr. Walter
Phillps from Interior. Desecheo rather than Mona Island was a political
decision and originally and maybe even today all landing permission
resided with a FWL person in Mayaguez. The attempts by some PR hams to
join the IARU as a voting member oddly enough was withdrawn when
Desecheo became a seperate DXCC entity. So yes IMHO originally KP5 was
a reserve not for birds alone but for some select amateurs and it
appears to me the fix was in. The heavy hand of the PR based FWL came in
later. Mona is not a DXCC country but Desecheo is. That is what is so
puzzling. Water Island OTOH has been since transferred to the USVI. But
all this work took place, as you pointed out, 30 years ago. Strangely
enough KP1 and KP5 are two of the rarest DXCC entities. Most likely
they are waiting for someone with the right connection with FWL to go
there. I have done KP1/KC4 back in the late 60's but KP5 has always
been off limits. Just like KP5 is held for some, Aves Island remains
the private DX preserve of the Radio Club Venezuelano and it is only 200
miles south of St. Croix.
73
Herb Schoenbohm, KV4FZ
On 11/19/2013 10:59 PM, Dave Novoa W4DN wrote:
Herb, Where did you get that information: "...hams in Puerto Rico had
decided to join the IARU as a distinct and
unique entity apart from the U.S. and the creation of a private DXCC
location ..."?
You know that I was the person who brought Desecheo to the DXCC list
and led the first legal DXpedition to the Island. Well, that was over
30 years ago, and this is the first time that I hear that statement.
Who decided to join the IARU? When? What evidence do you have of that?
Dave, W4DN
Ex-KP4AM
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