This picture is from the last day of another successful hamcation. This antenna located on the 8th floor of this building was attached to a stainless steel handrail which served as an excellent ground plane.
I once caught a callsign THIS BIG!
Dave operating PJ7/WJ2O
Getting the Equipment Ready
Morse code keys. Always worried about airline weight when travelling. I recently purchased this tiny key on the right. It’s shown here with my Vibroplex that I usually take.
Small key mounts to my K3. I was able to find a way to mount the new key to my radio without destroying either. I also mounted the rocker switch for the screwdriver antenna
Station packaging. Prior to each trip I get the complete station assembled and running on this table in my garage. Forgetting just one small detail could put me out of business.
Mounting the Antenna
Travel antenna. Here’s the details of my antenna setup. If I can find a good ground wherever I’m staying this works as good if not better than any Buddipole.
Coax and control cable running down. I had access to the roof which was just one floor above our condo. Using the screwdriver I am able to tune for band changes without going to the roof each time.
The telescopic whip is actually too long for bands above 40 meters so twice a day I had to adjust the length.
8th floor mounting. This is what it looked like from the ground.
Entire condo/Mall building. There were very few tenants or visitors to the mall. It appears this section of Sint Maarten is overbuilt.
Contesting
When the band is open and the pileup is cooperative you can get a good rate.
The Gentry
From the French side.
FS/WJ2O Gentry at Orient Beach.
And on the Dutch Side
PJ7/WJ2O Gentry at Maho Beach. This beach is very famous as it is situated at the end of the runway at Princess Juliana International Airport. My belly hanging out is optional.
Touring Around
Orient Beach. On the French side here is a shot of Orient Beach.
Marigot. Also on the French side is the Capital City of Marigot. Plenty of fine dining can be found here.
The Boardwalk (which is more like a concrete walk) on the beach in Philipsburg. This is the Dutch side’s Capital City.
The Blue Bitch Bar. My XYL, Chris, and I getting ready for the contest at the Blue Bitch Bar on the Boardwalk.
Our Hosts. These guys, Mike and Cindy, were renting the condo and nice enough to allow us to stay with them for a week. Thanks guys.
Don’t Forget the Pirate!
With the understanding of how the CEPT Licensing Agreement works, I assigned myself the callsign PJ7/WJ2O.
Equipment:
Elecraft K3 Transceiver
Dell Inspiron Mini Laptop
Little Tarheel II Screwdriver Antenna
12 volt Power Supply
Score Summary for the ARRL CW DX Contest.
Single Operator Assisted Low Power CW
My flight schedule from New York to Philipsburg, St. Maarten, in the Caribbean.