ST BARTH, JULY 08 : HAM RADIO OPERATION, AND A WEDDING

A lot of people who are interested in technology become ham radio operators.
Ham radio can be very educational in a way the Internet can’t touch: you can learn about analog electronics, and about the synthesis of analog and digital that is wireless data communications.
You can build your own equipment from the ground up, while most computer folks only get to plug cards together. You can communicate around the world without an Internet - with nothing but air between you and the person you’re talking to.
You can even call up Mir or the Space Shuttle, or operate one of many satellites that hams have built and had launched as “hitch-hikers” along with commercial space payloads. - OM Bruce Perens, K6BP.

FJ5KH St Barthelemy Radio-Club Station

op. Sam, FG5 ED, 22-30 July 2008,

QSL INFO : see below - PLEASE PASS INFO AROUND.

For the time being the St Barth 'club station' shack is but a tiny repeater storehouse with no water or electricity, situated on a high point, a hill top in the Lurin bushy area. A great radio spot donated by the island authority indeed, with a beautiful view, lots of space for a nice shack and antennas.

A rope-pulling starter Adomo generator provided the power for my operation, but it would not start unless you had the energy of a lion to pull out the rope... I had to come and go from the station to where I was staying, as basic commodities are not yet available on or near the site.

Antennas are a Cushcraft beam for 10, 15, and 20, and another for 17 and 30m, a gift of famous Clipperton DXpeditioner OM Paul, F6EXV, and 2 dipoles for 80 and 160m. No rotors on the beams.

I used an ICOM 100 watt transceiver, an MFJ antenna tuner and a Bencher keyer kindly lent by OM Adolphe, FJ5AB.

Condx were poor, as the sunspots would have it these days... I did most contacts on 20 and 40m. Some heavy pile-ups from US and Europe. A few JA's, a 4Z4, some TF3..

The project is to erect a wooden structure and equip it so that OMs can enjoy operating, running contests, etc. With a little help from all our friends...

The nearby Gouverneur beach is fantastic. Needless to say, the St Barth people are highly hospitable and naturally friendly.

I do plan to go back soon.

■ July 28 : last day.

Total 1,200 QSOs.

QSL info is below.

Special thanks to OM Adolphe Brin FJ5AB and family, Nathalie Brin for the sweet hospitality, OM Clémenceau Gréaux for the friendly support, OM Bill W2AY for the great eyeball QSOs, Chantal Godeau for QSY and logistic help, Monsieur François Berry for the mangoes !

Also to OM Paul, F6EXV who donated 2 CushCraft beam antennas to FJ5KH Club station.

■ July 27 : temperamental generator, yesterday it wouldn't start...

■ July 26 : plan to operate today on 14 CW and other bands if openings.

■ July 25 : Some propagation on 20m and 7mhz this morning, even worked few JA's. Other bands are dead or noisy. QSB is bad. So far, abt 550 CW QSOs

Today is the wedding of Anne (daughter of OM FJ5AB) and Xavier (from
Capesterre, Guadeloupe) !

Look for me around 01Z around 14.012 or 7.005 CW.

■ July 24 : 225 QSOs yesterday mostly on 20m. Cndx vy poor on other bands. Will be active today and night. Look on 14.012. Will accept QSY to other bands while on 14012. Messages can be left below after article on this blog, Vy 73. Sam

■ July 23 : Diesel generator and ICOM transceiver brought to the site by OM Adolphe FJ5AB. Antennas and rig are ready, operation starts today. Look for FJ5KH CW lower end on all bands.

■ JULY 2008
ST BARTHELEMY ISLAND
DXpedition
by Sam SAHAI, FG5ED
ex-FG7AS, FKoAT, YJoKMS... 

A1-Op, REF and UFT member.
I will be operating the St Barth Radio-Club station FJ5KH
from July 22nd to 30th, mostly in CW 

QSL INFO : one and only route - for THIS operation only - is direct to :

Ch. GODEAU
13, ave. Buckeburg,
F-72300 Sablé, France

:( one green stamp will not cover postage. More info will be on this blog soon.

Best 73's and DX to all !

"INDEXA supports DXCC countries on the "Most Wanted List" published by several DX publications. FJ has had numerous DXpeditions since it was announced to be a new DXCC earlier. You could possibly help support INDEXA also.“ - Message from OM Gary Dixon, K4MQG, INDEXA President, to FG5ED.

■ SAM SAHAI'S CALLS :

• GUADELOUPE : FG5ED, FG7AS 1975-1984 - TK7GAS 1977 - HW7G 1978 - TO7GAS 1983
• DOMINICA : FG7AS/VP2D 1977, 1978
• INDIA : VU2TS guest 1979
• ST BARTHELEMY : FG7AS/FS 1978 - FJ/FG5ED Aug 1990, Dec 1990 - FJ5KH guest July 2008
• ANTIGUA : VP2AW guest 1980 
• NOUVELLE-CALEDONIE : FKoAT 1984-1987 - FKo25AT 1986
• OUVEA, ILES LOYAUTE : FKoAT/p  March 1987
• NAURU : C21NI guest Dec 86-Jan 87
• SOLOMON ISLANDS : H44/FKoAT 1987
• WALLIS  : FW/FKoAT Jan-Feb 1987
• VANUATU : YJ8MC guest, YJoKMS Jan 87
• ST VINCENT & THE GRENADINES : J8/FG5ED Aug-Sept 1990

■  Amateur Radio for Fraternity and Respect for the Local OM !

■  C'est quoi le Radio-Amateurisme ?  Pas "de la CiBi" !!! - Voir ICI

■  Morse Code alive and well, BBC video 5 Aug. 2008 HERE

■  CW faster than text message ? See this video !

■  Telegraph straight key in action, sending a few lines from "Kubla Khan" !

■  Hello Radio ! ham info HERE

■ FG7AS 1979 QSL card HERE

■  SWEDEN : King Chulalongkorn Memorial Amateur Radio Society, Ragunda WEBSITE

■ INDIA, National Institute of Amateur radio, NIAR 

■  Rotuma Island DXpedition by Tony HERE

■  Next experiment : the Spiderbeam antenna? HERE

■  Song in French : CQ SERENADE

■  Brazilian OMs Willian (PY1WW) and Claudio (PY1CL) during a CW (telegraphy) contest.