Caribbean trip by GM5RDX

[IK0ZCW]

Following a successful “local DXpedition” to the Scottish island of Great Cumbrae (EU-123) for the 2023 IOTA Contest as 2M0VGT, Eric, now with his new full licence GM5RDX, has set his sights a little further afield. His 2024 IOTA Contest entry will take place from the British Overseas Territory of Anguilla, as part of his two week solo Caribbean DXpedition in July.

Appropriate licences and permits have been applied for and have now been approved, so it’s all systems go ! Initially touching down in Antigua, then transiting through the British Virgin Islands, Eric’s first operating base will be from the Dutch side of St Maarten, with the callsign PJ7/GM5RDX. The plan is to transmit from this island primarily from the Dutch side, but also mobile from the French side too as FS/GM5RDX. Then by taking the fast ferry from Saint Maarten, he will set up camp on Anguilla on the Thursday before the IOTA Contest, operating there with the local callsign, VP2EGM. On the Monday following the IOTA weekend, the final leg will see him returning to St Maarten and then fly onward to St Kitts & Nevis, for a few days operating as V4/G5RDX.

The radio setup will be very straightforward and minimalist, a Yaesu FT891 with MAT30 Tuner and a Sotabeams 10m telescopic travel mast. The antenna elements for the trip are G5RV dipole and wire verticals. The transmissions will be entirely HF voice with the ability to transmit from 80m to 10m SSB. The CEPT arrangements allow Eric to operate with his UK licence on the French side of Saint Martin, however an additional permit is required for the Dutch side, Sint Maarten. Visitors licences were applied for, and granted by the radio authorities in Anguilla and St Kitts & Nevis.

Eric says, “I’m no stranger to long distance solo travel, but now being a fully licenced radio ham is adding a whole new dimension to travelling”.

Dates, locations and callsigns:

19th – 23rd July St Maarten (NA105) – operating as PJ7/GM5RDX from primary QTH, or portable as FS/GM5RDX. I may be operating both callsigns on some days (ie FS portable in the morning and PJ7 afternoons and evenings). The majority of the operations will be from PJ7.
24th – 28th July Anguilla (NA022) – operating as VP2EGM (including IOTA contest).
29th – 31st July St Kitts (NA104) – operating as V4/G5RDX (Note: the authorities prefer me to drop the “M” RSL and have issued my licence accordingly).