On 2/10/2015 7:47 PM, RF Collins wrote:

Navassa does not seem like much of a challenge. I like listening for the
DX stations calling when the operator calls for Asia and Pacific.

True, propagation-wise it's not much of a challenge for North American
stations. However, it IS a 'challenge' because it has not been on the
air for decades and the pileups are horrendous -- a real challenge to
get through. Also, even though it's not too tough for us, the Asians and
Europeans complain bitterly of not being able to break through what they
call the "USA wall" (the bazillion US stations trying to contact
Navassa). As of 10 Feb, the DXpedition has logged over 100,000 QSOs and
*still* have wall-to-wall pileups.

North Korea - another political thing. I have worked South Korea so that
will have to do. I did get a QSL card direct from Cuba once or twice.
Worked Arnie Coro once on 40 meters too.

Worked and got a QSL from a Russian ham in North Korea doing work for
the Red Cross or some such. After a month or two, someone in the North
Korean govt pulled his license to operate. Fortunately the QSOs he made
for that month or two are counted by the ARRL as valid.

Very nice working Mr. Coro!