VP2V/K6VVA & VP2VVA
2009 ARRL CW DX Contest-Pedition
65th Birthday Adventure
Operator: Rick, K6VVA
(QSL ONLY Via N6AWD)
My portable TS-480SAT ErgoStation with scenic view out the window
in one corner of the spacious VP2VQ shack. George kindly loaned me
his Ameritron AL-811AH for an extra S-Unit of gain run @ 400 watts.
Looking out the window helped mitigate the boring UNanswered CQ's.
George, VP2VQ, in his spacious operating shack.
George and I enjoying some brotherly fellowship time.
Judge Judy in the background & my Passport to Contesting Paradise.
George, VP2VQ, XYL Gilda, Daughter Tiffany Nicole, son Josesph
and myself at the children's school sporting event.
Enjoying meals with George and his family in the "nook" was a
highlight of the trip. We had a lot of laughter times together :^)
The Locust enjoyed the great dinners prepared by Mrs. VP2VQ !!!
Shopping for supplies and contest munchies at the Rite Way store.
Can you believe I did not buy the cheesecake? "Next time!!!"
The serene view from the outdoor patio at "The Pub" where George,
Gilda and I had a nice lunch together on Friday before the contest.
I met the Deputy Prime Minister (nice lady) of the BVI while there.
Visit to the TRC (Telecommunications Regulatory Commission) so I
could thank TRC officials for their fine assistance with BVI licensing.
George also took me to visit the Disaster Management Office and
the very well organized emergency radio communications room.
Lots of cruise ships stop at Tortola every day.
Lunch hour traffic in Road Town, Tortola. I thought I could escape
California type traffic jams on my trip but not this day on the Island.
Thankfully I didn't have to haul a bunch of antenna stuff on this trip.
The Bombardier plane that got me from San Juan to Tortola.
I saw a lot of chickens on Tortola ... even at the airport!
Note the monster fans inside the airport on Tortola. It was pretty
vacant there at 7:30AM the morning of my departure flight.
I sat right behind the female Cape Air pilot when we left Tortola.
I lamented over how short of a trip this had been, and need to go
back and explore some of the other Islands in the BVI.
Our pilot made an extremely smooth landing back at San Juan!!!
I did a double-take when I saw this fella at a DFW Airport shop.
Tnx for sharing part of my trip. I hope to post some audio files later.
Special TNX to Marsha, KE6BEQ, and Jim, W6SC, for transportation
to and from the San Jose (CA) airport.
Please QSL ***ONLY*** Via Fred, N6AWD !!!
In May, 2009, George, VP2VQ, will have some exciting news about
future Contest-Pedition and DX-Pedition opportunities on Tortola. To
be kept informed, send George an email ( vp2vq at surfbvi.com ) and
please include the Island name TORTOLA in the email Subject line.