Once I returned from Easter Island, I wanted to stay a few days in Santiago.
I stayed at the Hotel Torremayor. This was a very nice medium priced hotel that appeared to be fairly new. It was only 4 stories high so I asked for the top floor. Only the manager (who was never around) spoke good English. The others tried. Not much room for antennas, so I just stuck my mobile whips out the window, as I was only here 3 days.
Santiago, Chile
Operating position. The hotel provided a very unique curved desk that made a perfect operating table. Too bad my antenna was minimal.
My tour guide.This is Gerardo. He claimed he was a student and was hitting me up for cash on the street for food. Not only did we go to lunch together I hired him to be my tour guide for the day. He knew about as much English as I knew Spanish so communication was comical at times.
The president’s house. Here I am in front of the President’s House happy that it had stopped raining.
Plaza de Armas. This is a popular plaza (Spanish for park) which is very popular in Santiago.
Shops. In Santiago there are plenty of small shops around.
More shops
Flying Over The Andes
When flying over the Andes Mountains, they are so high you feel that they are going to reach out and touch the airplane.
The Andes.
More Andes mountain views
The Andes.
CE3/WJ2O QSL Card
Getting My License
I received an application from the ARRL and, as instructed, I set it along with a postal money order of $25.00 to the:
Radio Club de Chile
Nataniel Cox 1054
Casilla 13630 Santiago
Phone 02-696-4707
The application said to send two passport size photos. They sent them back saying they didn’t need them along with a receipt for my fee. But no license.
Upon arriving in Santiago, I set out on the trek to find my license. I had no idea where to start, I spoke next to no Spanish and it was raining. Santiago is a beautiful city even on rainy days, complete with an excellent subway system and a rule that a cab fare can never be more than the US equivalent of about $1.50. I spent the entire day but I found the right place, learned a lot of Spanish words and the sun came out.
For those of you wishing to save time, get into any cab and ask to go to Amunategui 178 which is a corner building. On the 7th floor is the Ministry of Telecommunications. When you exit the elevators, go into the office on the left that has double doors. Once inside turn a little to the right and there is a small window that says “Radioaficionado” (this translates to Radio Amateur). Then gentleman spoke no English but understood “WJ2O”. He went through a small pile of paper and to my surprise pulled out my license all typed, ready and paid for. I shook his hand and set back to the hotel with a feeling of accomplishment.
The Station
Equipment:
Kenwood TS-940 Transceiver
486-DX laptop
Heathkit Micromatic Keyer
Hustler mobile whips
Customs:
Customs had me place one of my two large cases up on an X-ray machine, and then waved me on.
