Transcripts of shortwave radio transmissions received by the Heceta Island Settlement communications station. Maintained by Greg Huang, Communications Officer. Frequencies monitored: 3.5–4.0 MHz, 7.0–7.3 MHz, 14.0–14.35 MHz. Equipment: Modified Yaesu FT-891 running on solar. Range: variable, 200–2,000 miles depending on atmospheric conditions and Greg’s mood.
Recent Transmissions
Day 839 — Craig, Prince of Wales Island (31 nm east)
Frequency: 3.885 MHz
Signal: Strong
Contact: “Sháan Séet Station” (Craig community radio)
Transcript: Craig reports stable population of approximately 400. The PeaceHealth clinic in Klawock is operational with limited supplies. They are willing to trade medical supplies for smoked fish, dried venison, and — notably — anyone with dental experience. Their dentist left for Juneau eight months ago and hasn’t been heard from since. They report regular contact with Hydaburg (population ~200, stable) and intermittent contact with Ketchikan (population unknown, “complicated”).
Craig also reports that several Tlingit and Haida elders have organized a traditional knowledge-sharing program and are offering instruction in fish trap construction, canoe building, and food preservation to anyone willing to learn. They broadcast lesson summaries on this frequency every third day. We are recording all of them.
Settlement response: Confirmed interest in trade. Delegation authorized (see Council Minutes, Day 831).
Day 822 — Juneau (approx. 200 nm north)
Frequency: 7.185 MHz
Signal: Moderate, intermittent
Contact: Unknown operator, callsign “AK-Capital”
Transcript (partial — signal degraded): “…state government reconvened in limited capacity… approximately 3,000 in greater Juneau area… hydroelectric still operational at [unintelligible]… attempting to coordinate with Sitka and Petersburg… requesting all settlements in Southeast to check in on this frequency Sundays at 1400 hours…”
Settlement response: Greg monitored the following Sunday. Counted 14 other stations checking in from across the Alexander Archipelago and Lynn Canal. We did not transmit. Council has not authorized contact with government entities. “Let’s see what they’re about first” — Linda.
Day 815 — Noyes Island (approx. 15 nm south)
Frequency: 3.910 MHz
Signal: Weak
Contact: Unknown
Transcript: Brief transmission. Male voice: “If anyone can hear this, we are four people on the north end of Noyes Island. We have shelter and water. We need fishing equipment and medicine. We have [long pause] books. Many books. If that matters to anyone.”
Settlement response: Council debated response. Dr. Tanaka advocated for contact and possible supply run. Dale opposed (standard). Decision: Greg will attempt to raise them on same frequency to assess situation before committing resources. Books do, in fact, matter to us.
Day 791 — Kodiak Island (approx. 800 nm west)
Frequency: 14.230 MHz
Signal: Faint, single reception
Contact: “Kodiak Free Settlement”
Transcript (partial): “…bear population is frankly out of control… established perimeter fencing using materials from [unintelligible] Coast Guard station… fishing cooperative functional… population approximately 600… if you are receiving this, we are alive, we are organized, and we would very much like to hear from anyone else who is…”
Settlement response: Signal not reacquired. Distance makes regular contact unlikely. Noted for the record. 600 people on Kodiak is encouraging. The bears there are larger than ours, so their problems are proportionally bigger.
Day 756 — Unknown Origin (estimated 1,000+ nm south)
Frequency: 14.115 MHz
Signal: Very faint, single reception during unusual atmospheric conditions
Contact: Unknown
Transcript: Female voice, calm, possibly reading from a prepared statement: “This is the Haida Gwaii Cooperative, broadcasting from the islands formerly known as the Queen Charlotte Islands, British Columbia. We are 230 people. We have been here since before The Correction — this is Haida territory and it always was. We are well. Our elders are teaching. Our children are learning. The ocean provides. If there are Tlingit, Haida, or Tsimshian communities listening — your relatives are alive. Come home if you can.”
[Long silence on recording]
Settlement response: None required. This was the first transmission we received that made people cry. It has been played at three community gatherings since. Greg keeps the recording on a separate drive.
Day 680 — Unknown Origin (bearing suggests inland, possibly Yukon)
Frequency: 7.095 MHz
Signal: Moderate
Contact: Callsign “Goldpanner”
Transcript: “Hey out there. This is Goldpanner. I’m somewhere in the Yukon, I think near Dawson, but honestly the maps aren’t great and the roads are gone. I’m alone. I have a cabin and a creek and more moose than I know what to do with. If anyone wants to come live in the Yukon, I’ve got room. Fair warning: it’s negative forty right now. I repeat: negative four-zero. But the aurora is nice. Goldpanner out.”
Settlement response: Greg exchanges messages with Goldpanner approximately weekly. They have become friends in the way that people become friends when they have never met and probably never will but are both alive and that’s enough. Goldpanner’s real name is apparently Harold. He was a high school principal. He is fine.
Silence
For every station that transmits, there are frequencies that used to carry voices and now carry nothing. Greg maintains a log of these too. He doesn’t talk about it much. The silence is its own kind of record.
If you are out there and you can hear us, know this: we are listening. We are always listening.
Heceta Island Settlement broadcasts on 3.900 MHz, Wednesdays and Saturdays, 1200 hours Alaska Standard Time. Our callsign is “Heceta.” If you can hear us, please respond.