PJ2 – Willemstad, Curacao

Dates: 23 November to 4 December 1993

Callsign: PJ2/WJ2O

PJ2 – Willemstad, Curacao 2024-04-10T21:11:40-05:00

Accommodations:

Princess Beach Hotel and Casino
Dr. Martin Luther King Blvd.
Willemstad,
Curacao, Netherland Antilles

This hotel was very nice about letting me place my vertical on the top of their 5 story “tower” building. I was visited one morning by two officials from Landsradio while we were at breakfast. The hotel manager was in a tizzy as she thought I was in trouble plus she couldn’t locate me quickly. The officials were very nice stating that their visit was routine and tried to calm the hotel manager down. They said that they used to inspect every visiting ham’s installation, but budget restraints have made that impractical.

They stated that they were on the hunt for a “source of interference” and spotted my antenna from the road. I asked if it was voice modulated or morse code, as I operate code almost completely. They didn’t answer. They asked me to tune up on a couple of bands so they could take power out and reflected power readings. My SWR was very low which seemed to make them happy. After showing them a copy of my license they thanked me for my time and were on their way.

Princess Beach Hotel and Casino

PJ2/WJ2O QSL Card

PJ2/WJ2O QSL Card front
PJ2/WJ2O QSL Card back

Licensing:

The licensing is taken care of by landsradio (pronounced lons-rod-e-o).

Their address is:
Landsradio
P.O. Box 103
Willemstad,
Curacao, Netherlands Antilles
599 9 631111

I was able to apply by mail but sent them my $15.00 US fee using a postal money order. They wrote a nice letter back stating that it costs more to negotiate the check than the check is worth. I could send them cash or I could pay at the Landsradio office upon my arrival. I chose to send them the cash with a copy of the letter and I had my license sent to me within three weeks.

 Trip Statics Report

Equipment:

#

Kenwood TS-940 Transceiver
Yaesu FL-7000 Amplifier
Tandy 1400 HD Laptop Computer
Heathkit Micromatic Keyer
Butternut Vertical

Customs:

They let me and my wife walk right by with out luggage and my two cases loaded with ham gear. But then I went back for my antenna which I stuffed into a ski bag and one official said “What’s that?” I explained that it was an antenna and he said that I have to pay a duty of $35.00, “Go upstairs and pay the fee and come back and see me.” I wasn’t going to argue with him. I whispered to my wife to quietly take the thousands of dollars of the equipment that he didn’t see outside while I pay the fee.