Over the years I have had the distinct pleasure of participating in a number of International ham radio competitions from famous contest stations. I cut my teeth on multi-operator contesting from W1ZM in Connecticut, participating in a number of efforts from Gerry's famous station. I also had the pleasure of operating a couple of times from K1OX in New Hampshire (the first time using the call W1RR). A distinct highlight was operating from Jim's station at W2PV in New York.
My first opportunity to participate outside the U.S. was to be the 80M operator at KP4EAJ in a multi-multi effort in CQWW CW in 1977. I went back to Puerto Rico a few years later (1980) to be the second-chair 80M op with my brother, Jeff (K1ZM), at NP4A, also in CQWW CW.
After a number of years staying home, I was invited to join the ZX0F CQWW SSB team at Fernando de Noronha in 1999. We re-configured Andre's station for multi-multi and had a fabulous time. I got to do some serious operating during this contest, actually starting the contest as the 20M op. The following year it was off to A61AJ's station in Dubai for CQWW CW, where I helped build Ali's 160M four-square array and enjoyed using that antenna as second op on 160M, again with Jeff. These two operations allowed me to meet and work side-by-side with some of the most famous contesters in the world!
In 2001, I was invited to join W3MF and K3PH at WP2Z for CQWW SSB. As it turned out, I operated single-op and did not put in a full effort. However, the trip rekindled my enthusiasm for operating from the Caribbean. Those who have operated from WP2Z know that the views from the Windwood villa are breathtaking.
In 2002, I operated V47NS from the island of Nevis in a multi-two effort in CQWW SSB. The team included Doc (V47NS), Karl (V44NK), Glen (W4GKA), brother Peter (K3ZM) and me. I went back to Nevis the following year with the same team plus Jim AD4J, and we used my call, V47DM.
February 2004 found me operating V26DX from the Royal Antiguan Hotel in a multi-single operation with K3ZM in the ARRL DX CW contest. Following the contest we took a day trip to Montserrat. As a result, we rented a villa on Montserrat for the 2004 CQWW CW contest and used Peter's call, VP2MZM, during that multi-single effort.
The following year we were off to Dominica. Peter, Glen, Jim and I operated J7DM multi-single and had a great time. Have you ever used a 25-foot bamboo pole as a mast for your tri-band yagi? What a hoot!
In November 2006 I returned to Montserrat for a single-op effort in CQWW CW. I operated as VP2MDG from Gingerbread Hill in St. Peter's. Gingerbread Hill is a marvelous spot from which to do ham radio. The owners, David and Clover Lea, are very accommodating to hams. Peter, Glen and I returned in October 2007 for a multi-single effort in CQWW SSB, and I went back in November 2008 for CQWW CW. We plan to return in October 2009 for CQWW SSB.
A few photos and statistics from some of these operations are included below.
The V47NS crew: George (K2DM/V47DM); Peter (K3ZM/V47ZM); Karl (V44NK); Glen (W4GKA/V47GA); Doc (W9NY/V47NS).
The view towards Montserrat from the tower at V47DM.
The view toward the East from the station at WP2Z.
The shack at V26DX. We made nearly 4,800 contacts using low power.
Providence Estate, our QTH at VP2MZM. We made 6,098 contacts.
Gingerbread Hill, home to VP2MDG.