Abaco Islands
Our accommodations were at the 2nd home of Steve Rutledge, N4JQQ. He used to rent a very nice two bedroom, 2 bath cottage that came complete with a ham station. I communicated with Steve in February 2006, and he told me that he sold this site.
Abaco Island is a stark contrast to Paradise Island. It is a very non-commercial, laid back and relaxing place to visit.
It was the easiest way to go on a Dxpedition that I knew at the time. Cheap airfare from most points in the US, a station already waiting for you and reasonable rental rates.
When you get a cab at the airport, you didn’t need to worry about directions. I just told them I’m a ham radio operator and they knew right where Steve’s place was. An interesting note is out by the airport I was surprised to find pine trees (I expected palm).
![Abaco](https://images.harvestamerica.tech/wj2o/dxpeditions/c6a-trip2/summary/C6A_2_Abaco.jpg)
Bahama Beach
![Pathway to the beach](https://images.harvestamerica.tech/wj2o/dxpeditions/c6a-trip2/photos/C6A_2_Beach_Path-1.jpg)
Pathway to the beach.
![Bahama beach](https://images.harvestamerica.tech/wj2o/dxpeditions/c6a-trip2/photos/C6A_2_Beach-2.jpg)
Bahama beach.
Relaxation Time
![Chris relaxing](https://images.harvestamerica.tech/wj2o/dxpeditions/c6a-trip2/photos/C6A_2_Chris-3.jpg)
Chris, my XYL, relaxing.
![Enjoying the view](https://images.harvestamerica.tech/wj2o/dxpeditions/c6a-trip2/photos/C6A_2_View-4.jpg)
Enjoying the view
Steve’s Cottage
![Inside Steve´s Cottage](https://images.harvestamerica.tech/wj2o/dxpeditions/c6a-trip2/photos/C6A_2_Steves_Cottage-5.jpg)
Inside Steve´s Cottage
WJ2O Time
![Hamming](https://images.harvestamerica.tech/wj2o/dxpeditions/c6a-trip2/photos/C6A_2_Dave_Hamming-6.jpg)
Hamming it up!
![Antenna](https://images.harvestamerica.tech/wj2o/dxpeditions/c6a-trip2/photos/C6A_2_Antenna-7.jpg)
Antenna. If you look closely you can see part of the antenna.
Time To Leave
![Chris and karen at airport](https://images.harvestamerica.tech/wj2o/dxpeditions/c6a-trip2/photos/C6A_2_Airport-8.jpg)
Chris (MY XYL) and Karen (K2KAR)
Waiting on an airplane!
WJ2O/C6A QSL Card
![QSL Front](https://images.harvestamerica.tech/wj2o/dxpeditions/c6a-trip2/qsl/C6A_2_QSL_F.jpg)
![QSL Back](https://images.harvestamerica.tech/wj2o/dxpeditions/c6a-trip2/qsl/C6A_2_QSL_B.jpg)
Bahamian Ham License
They have an application that should be filled out and sent along with photocopies of your birth certificate and FCC license. Also enclose the annual fee of $6.00 US (which also happens to be $6.00 Bahamian).
The address is:
Bahamas Telecommunications Corporation
P.O. Box N-3048
Nassau, Bahamas
Tel: 809-323-4911
Fax: 809-326-7474
Locally the licensing authority is known as Batelco for short. The application is available from either them or the ARRL.
![License](https://images.harvestamerica.tech/wj2o/dxpeditions/c6a-trip2/Licensing/C6A_2_License.jpg)
Small Accomodations
![Equipment](https://images.harvestamerica.tech/wj2o/dxpeditions/c6a-trip2/Operating/C6A_2_Operating.jpg)
Equipment:
Kenwood TS-940 Transceiver
Tandy 1400 HD Laptop Computer
Heathkit Micromatic Keyer
Cushcraft R5 Vertical
![Telecommunications Authority of Fiji provided a license to operate 3D2FD.](https://images.harvestamerica.tech/wj2o/dxpeditions/c6a-trip2/Operating/C6A_2_Award.jpg)
Customs
The customs official on Treasure Cay was very friendly. He was familiar with ham radio, the cottage I was staying at, as well as Steve (N4JQQ), the owner. No problem, they know all us Americans are honest…right?!?!
![On the road to Steve’s cottage](https://images.harvestamerica.tech/wj2o/dxpeditions/c6a-trip2/Travel/C6A_2_Road.jpg)
On the road to Steve’s cottage.