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V31JZ/p IOTA DXpedition 2003

 

Art Phillips, NN

Art Phillips, NN7A, was QRV as V31JZ/p from South Water Caye, Belize (IOTA NA-180) from 17-20 January 2003. This was a one-person operation using a 100-watt transceiver (but running at lower power) with vertical and wire antennas. Operation was mostly CW on 40-10m including WARC bands.

Operation took place from the “Osprey’s Nest,” a cottage owned by the Pelican Beach Resort in Dangriga. The only power sources available were battery and solar. The 15-acre coral sand island is about 15 miles (24 km) southeast of Dangriga along the Belizean barrier reef, the longest in the Western Hemisphere. It is shaded by coconut palms and mellowed by soft Caribbean breezes. The operating location was on the wide verandah of the cottage, with a good view of the Caribbean about 100 feet (30 m) away through the palms.

NA-180 was first put on the air as a new IOTA by Art and Mike Sharp, NG7S/V31RL, in February 1993. This was Art’s 4th operation from South Water Caye, and his 10th trip to Belize since 1988. He has also operated from the Turneffe Islands (NA-123), Ambergris Caye (NA-073), and numerous places on the Belizean mainland.

 

QSL direct via

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South Water Caye

Belize, NA-180

February 1996

Photos fro                                                                                                                                

 

 
    porch.jpg (32595 bytes) Here is V31JZ's preferred Belize operating position. When the weather is nice, Art will operate from a porch overlooking the Caribbean. (The picture was taken at Turneffe Flats Resort in 1999, NA-123

 

 

 

 
       
 
 
   

 

  
   

                                           

 

 V31JZ 's 40' Shakespeare vertical is right at home on the Belizean sands, as it's a military surplus model originally issued for desert use in the Gulf War. Together with wire antennas supported by the numerous palm trees, the vertical will help Art cover the HF bands during the operation. (This shot was taken at Blackbird Caye.)

 

V31JZ working the pileups.

 
 

     

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        Art even let Bob, NF7E go on one trip to Belize!

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Dxing in paradise!  The ONLY advantage of SSB over CW!

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