PJ5/SP9FIH from St Eustatius

My stay on Sint Eustatius is coming to an end. Thank you for all your contacts. Unfortunately, only nearly 30,000 on SSB and a thousand on RTTY. I do not count FT8/FT4.

Despite requests, approximately 6% are duplicates. The record holder made 28 contacts using the same mode on the same band.

As a low power station (100W), I took part in the ARRL SSB Contest – 4198 QSOs and WPX SSB Contest- 2398 QSOs. Now we face a new challenge from Bhutan in second part of April.

I will try to change 40m antenna to work on 60m after the WPX Contest. So be prepared to check 60m on the night from 1st to 2nd April.

Big K index spoiled band conditions today. Predictions for coming hours are bad.

I am going to take part in the WPX SSB Contest last weekend of March. My classification will be all band but I will work only on 40m, 15m and 10m.

I made 4198 QSOs on 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m bands. Conditions to North America were good and I hope many “small pistols” could work me.

What I don’t like is that many US stations do not keep a log and call for a second or even third time to make duplicate QSOs. I guess their memory is too short to remember that they already had a QSO with the PJ5/SP9FIH station, or maybe it’s just some kind of fun?

Unfortunately, playing this way prevents others from connecting!

Rudi DK7PE come to my QTH and today we built 60m inverted V. He should be active CW for 2-3 nights as PJ5/DK7PE/p.

I am going to take part in ARRL DX SSB Contest in first weekend of March. Probably it will be all band entry.

Today evening (20-21 February), probably from 00-03 UTC I will try 6m. Using only 50W and simple vertical antenna. Let us hope it will work and conditions will be good…

After 4 weeks of operation I have over 13 000 SSB contacts in the log. However it should be more… I call 10-15 minutes CQ and I know there is good propagation and nobody answers.

If someone spots me, there are 2-3 stations coming and silence again. I appeal for HAMs to listen more on the bands and not depend only on internet spots (which are disappearing quickly).

Today I had a pleasure to meet Airon PJ7AR who jumped from Sint Maarten to visit my place. Very enjoyable conversation with a new friend crazy with our hobby and wire antennas.

From today (10th February) 40m is in use. Because of limited space and poles no more 80/60m will be used. Enjoy 40m band!

On 8th February I will try to work 80m SSB again. Transmitting frequency about 3650 kHz. Please check about 6-7 UTC.

On 3rd February I will try to work 80m SSB. Transmitting frequency about 3657 and split to 3795. Please check about 6-7 UTC.

Success with rebuilding 60m antenna to work on 80m. From now for two weeks I will be on 80m mostly FT8. Also maybe phone little above 3600 kHz.

I do not know why this bug still exists. I am 3rd time on St Eustatius and every time here my PJ5/SP9FIH callsign is decoded wrong. This time it is as DP1POL.

Please do not call DP1POL because nobody will answer you! Felix DP1POL is not active now on FT8.

I will be about 21:30 UTC on 27th Jan. and then about 00:00 UTC on 28th Jan. or a little later. At 00:00 I will try SSB on 5360 kHz.

I suggest to use long path propagation because I have hills on short path to VK/ZL….

Similar loops as for 10/15m on second mast. Masts are 12m high and very close to each other (20m).

Single element vertical loop (rhombic) is ready to pick you up…

Antenna work has begun. Few part of antenna equipment were broken during all this crazy luggage problems. Few rain showers and shopping delays outdoor work.

From time to time I now operate FT8. Antennas finished till now are: 60m, 30m, 12m.

Probably on Monday I will receive my equipment from customs.

When I walked shopping in town I was attacked by two big dogs and one of them bitten slightly my leg.

That is how DXpeditions looks sometimes…

I am in PJ5 but only with hand luggage. Two bags with equipment did not arrive. Maybe tommorow or later, who knows….

Bags arrived but they have to be checked by customs and Police and then I have to pay deposit. Person responsible to sign documents is not on office. When he arrives …maybe tommorow….