Sunday, May 6, 2012

V31XB, Caye Caulker, Belize. Hamcation!!!




QSL VIA VE2XB DIRECT OR BUREAU

  
v31xb will be qrv from 11 -31 May 2012 using 160-10m including the WARC bands 12, 17, and 30m and 6m when there are openings.
Pse QSL direct to qrz.com address which is aok with self addressed stamped envelope (SASE) with CDN stamps or self addressed envelope (SAE) and 2 IRCs or 2 greenbacks. Postal rates are not the same in the USA and Canada despite our proximity to one another and also being part of NAFTA (North America Free Trade Agreement). So, pse use 2 IRCs or 2 greenbacks. Or you may qsl via the bureau too. No probems there but it takes longer, so pse be patient.
Pse be careful when filling out your qsl card to use GMT/Zulu time. Some ppl send me cards using Pacific Standard Time (PST) or Eastern Standard Time (EST) and this is no good. All Hams around the world use GMT. If you're a newcomer to the hobby, pse Google GMT and you will see real time clocks with accurate time in Zulu/GMT.
Pse remember that 0010 GMT changes the date, so pse fill out your qsl card correctly with the right time and date. And pse be patient to receive a qsl card as I travel often. I will return all qsl requests that are received direct or via the bureau.

I will make a special effort to give first time cw dx QSOs to Novices and newcomers, so listen on or near 7.115 on 40m in the evenings. I wish DX stations would have done this when I was a newcomer. I also understand that many hams are getting back into the hobby after a long hibernation and use cw slowly as they get used to it again. There are also hams with health issues forcing them to cw qrs and also a lot of hams in the SKCC (Straight key century club) who enjoy firing up old rigs with straight keys--I love to do this too. I like to use my old j-38, so expect to hear me on 40m cw qrs for all hams irregardless of situation.

I always appreciate short wave listener (SWL) reports but pse be patient when requesting a QSL card. When I finish all ham qsl requests and if there are enough QSL cards, I will gladly reply to your request if your qso contact info is correct.

Belize  /bəˈlz/ (formerly British Honduras) is a country located on the north eastern coast of Central America. Belize has a diverse society, comprising many cultures and languages. Belize is the only country in Central America where English is the official language. Kriol and Spanish are more commonly spoken. Belize is bordered to the north by Mexico, south and west by Guatemala, and to the east by the Caribbean Sea. Belize’s mainland is about 290 kilometres (180 mi) long and 110 kilometres (68 mi) wide.
With 22,960 square kilometres (8,860 sq mi) of land and a population of only 333,200 inhabitants (2010 est.),  Belize possesses the lowest population density in Central America. The country's population growth rate of 2.21% (2008 est.), however, is the highest in the region and one of the highest in the western hemisphere. Belize's abundance of terrestrial and marine species, and its diversity of ecosystems give it a key place within the globally significant Mesoamerican Biological Corridor.
Belize is culturally unique among its Central American neighbours; it is the only nation in the region with a British colonial heritage. As a part of the Western Caribbean Zone, however, it also shares a common heritage with the Caribbean portions of other Central American countries. In general, Belize is considered to be a Central American nation with strong ties to both the Caribbean and Latin America. Belize is a member of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), and Sistema de la Integración Centroamericana (SICA.)
Caye Caulker: It is now generally agreed that the name was derived at a much earlier date from the Spanish name for the island "Cayo Hicaco." This refers to the Hicaco plum (Coco Plum) which grows wild on the island and was gathered by Spanish seafarers to combat scurvy.
Caye Caulker is located north-northeast of Belize City, and is accessible by boat or small plane. In recent years, the island has become a popular destination for backpackers and other tourists. There are over 30 tiny hotels, and a number of restaurants and shops.
(Source: Wikipedia)




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V31XB--Caye Caulker, BELIZE!!!

I love visiting Caye Caulker (pronounced Key Corker), Belize as V31xb. I enjoy scuba diving and snorkeling in the 2nd largest barrier reef; #1 is in Australia. I especially love the fresh fruits--mango, papaya, guava, bananas, starfruit, watermelon, lemons, limes and assorted vegetables that you can pick right from the trees or vines!

QSL Via ve2xb

Gear is: Kenwood ts-590s/Elecraft K3/100 and Icom IC2-KL 500w/Tokyo High Power HL-550 amps. The main antenna is: a K4kio Hexbeam (Tnx Leo!) on a push up mast. I also use an off-center fed windom on 30, 40, 75 and 160m. On 40m, I might be using a 2el moxon too. 
I am bringing the 6m 5 el yagi to catch some openings.


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