Accommodations
A local ham in Reykjavík was extremely helpful. Not only did he help me obtain my license, but he arranged to have a dipole antenna stay up at the hotel. It was already in place for a JA visitor the week prior. There’s been talk that the hotel may keep a permanent installation for visiting hams like us. Using a tuner, I was able to find a comfortable SWR on all bands.
This is the Hotel Saga where I stayed in Reykjavík, Iceland.
The Hotel
My luggage arrived. The Kenwood in the silver case, everything else in the other.
All set up. WJ2O very happy that everything works.
Bed. Place where WJ2O’s hat slept.
Multi-band dipole.
Kris, TF3KM. In the background, you see my “shack away from home”.
This buffet was featured at the hotel.
Another Buffet shot. I still want to return to Iceland to enjoy the pickled herring. I have not been able to match the quality and flavor anyplace else in the world.
Bragi, TF3BRT, and Runar, TF3RJT
Siggi, TF3CW, and Dave, WJ2O.
Bjarni, TF3GB and Kris, TF3KM
Hams
Boggi, TF3TF
The whole gang: TF3GB (Bjarni),WJ2O (Dave), TF3BRT (Bragi), TF3DX (Villi), TF3KM (Kris), and TF3T (Sveinn)
Around the town
Southern Fried Chicken Southern Iceland that is.
The whole gang: TF3GB (Bjarni),WJ2O (Dave), TF3BRT (Bragi), TF3DX (Villi), TF3KM (Kris), and TF3T (Sveinn)
Hallgrimskirkj
The Hallgrimskirkja is a Church of Iceland parish church. This photo is from my hotel balcony.
You can see that the church stands very prominently in the Reykjavík skyline.
Here I am at the front door of the church. looking up
Hallgrimskirkja church altar.
A smaller organ. This was located near the altar.
Klais organ. This is above the front entrance. I was fortunate to experience the sounds of this as a woman was practicing during my visit.
Vestmannaeyjar Islandj
Plane from Reykjavík I decided to take a day trip to a island that suffered from a volcanic activity not too long ago. It’s called Vestmannaeyjar Island (Westman for short).
Westman Airport. Here we are after arriving on the island
Guide. This is Pall Helgason, a native of Westman Island and our tour guide for the day. We all boarded this bus and took off.
The Volcano. We are standing on a volcano that has engulfed half the town. Down by the bus is the other half of town.
TVI. Apparently the TVI is so bad here you can sit down, enjoy a Pepsi and just watch the “TVI Sturin’”. Ok, bad attempt at ham radio humor.
Seaport. They have a very nicely protected seaport.
Cargo. Fish, and plenty of it, ready for export.
Flying home
Greenland from the Air Flying Iceland Air back to JFK we caught the Southern edge of Greenland.
WJ2O/TF QSL Card
Licensing:
There is an application that you must obtain and fill out. On that form not only is there the usual stuff, name, call, etc., but there is a space where our national IARU society should comment. Of course they will need a copy of your current license. Also, the recommendation is that you apply 3 months in advance.
The maximum input power allowable for visitors is 200 watts.
The contact at the licensing authority is:
Mr. Horour R. Haroarson
Fjarskiptaeftirlitio
Malarhofoa 2
IS-150 Reykjavík, Iceland
Phone: (354) 168-2424
Fax: (354) 168-2429
Dave’s Station
I had a very nice comfortable set-up here in Iceland as TF/WJ2O
Equipment:
Kenwood TS-940 Transceiver
486-DX Laptop
Heathkit Micromatic Keyer
Homebrew Voice Digitiser
Dipoles cut for 40, 20 and 15MFJ Turner
Customs:
There was absolutely no trouble with customs. In fact, they showed me the proper door to exit the airport and held it open for me.
Ground Transportation:
Most international flights come into Keflavik Airport which is about 25 miles southwest of the capital Reykjavík. The cab fare is a whopping 100 dollars. Most folks take the bus run. I forgot how much it was but I think $15 covered it. They drive you to Reykjavík airport at which point they split up the people to deliver you right to your hotel.
Map to the Iceland Keflavik Airport