J79USA made a1800 contacts - David KK4WW & Gaynell KK4WWW Larsen ,as J79USA 1/22/17 to 1/30/17
QSL to N4USA with SASE #10 envelope.
I added to this daily - scroll down to see latest entry.
Amateur Radio Operation - Gaynell and I had a really great visit in Dominica and are so thankful for our hosts Clement J73CPL& Hetty J73CPH Pierre Louis of Wotten Waven for hosting us in their home and using their amateur radio station. About 1800 radio contacts were made as J73USA with operators David & Gaynell Larsen, Clement J73CPL and Raymond J73RJ. The amateur radio operators we made contact with were really kind and courteous making the DXing a pleasure. We respond to all who request a QSL card confirming contact with J79USA with a nice 8x11 color QSL. Gaynell will be busy as we already have a big pile of QSL cards waiting for us. J79USA operated mostly on 20 meters with a few contacts on 40 meters. The station will continue to be on the air with Clement J73CPL operating his station many days of the week.
FAIRS mission projects - Hello Ham Operators, FAIRS Members and Friends, My name is Gaynell Larsen KK4WWW/J79WWW and Dave KK4WW/J79WWW and I have been traveling to Dominica for more than 20 years and at least once or twice a year. Our FAIRS work there started with meeting and getting to know the amateur radio operators on the Island. We discovered that there were a number of hams on the Island and they had a club already formed - DARC (Dominica Amateur Radio Club). We are still working with DARC and feel as though Dominica is our second home. In addition to working with the amateur radio folks there, FAIRS branched out and we have been working with a number of groups on the Island who have worked with underprivileged children for many years. Please read about this work at the bottom of blog.
Click on photos to enlarge.
The travel from home to Dominica went just fine on the 19th. No problems with customs getting into Dominica, however, our two checked bags did not arrive on our flight. The late bags were delivered to the home of Clement J73CPL and Hetty J73HPL Pierre Louis (our hosts while visiting in Wotten Waven) the next evening. The bags had been opened by Home Land Security and the Dominica Customs. The contents of the bags were mixed up and one bag was not closed all the way, however nothing was missing. The bags contained medical donated supplies and one HF amateur radio transceiver.
Gaynell with our host Hetty Pierre Louis J73HPL ready to have some coconut bread with a cup of coffee on the front porch of Hetty and Clement's home. The bread was brought with us and made by Gaynell's mother "Mama Sallie".
The view from this porch is one of our favorite places to enjoy the tropical rain forest - See video this relaxing view "click".
Clement Pierre Louis J73CPL on the right our host attending his church with Gaynell and the Priest Martin. Clement broke his leg in October 2016 and we were privileged to be with him for the first time back to church after his accident.
Clement's (J73CPL) transceiver stopped working and he had not used the amateur radio station for the past 5 months. One of my first tasks was to test the antenna system with the new transceiver we carried with us in our carry on bags. The Mosley beam did not work and had very high SWR. This was preventing us from operating. Clement is recovering from a broken leg and I am just too old to climb towers so we could not do any antenna repair.
On Saturday the 21st our friend Raymond J73RJ came over and did a wonderful repair of the antenna system by installing new coax antenna feed line from the beam into the radio operating room. Fortunately Clement had about 200 feet of new coax cable we had sent down a year earlier with the new Mosley beam. Last night I made about 20 contacts on 20 meters and the antenna seems to work just fine. Good news for us as Raymond saved the day and made us operational. Gaynell KK4WWW and I KK4WW will be operating as J79USA for the next 10 days. We sometimes use our other Dominica licenses J79WW & J79WWW.
FAIRS donates Equipment to Hams in Dominica
David & Gaynell, Directors of "The Foundation for Amateur International Radio Service" (FAIRS) made a donation of 2 HTs dual band radios to Raymond for the use of amateur radio operators in Dominica. Raymond J73RJ represented the hams of Dominica receiving the radios. The HTs were donated to FAIRS by Mark Ward KK4TAH of the Floyd Amateur Radio Society for Dominica.
Raymond J73RJ talks about the HT donation
HF transceiver donation to Clem James J73CI - TS-50. The radio donated to FAIRS for Dominica project by John Anderson K4JKA. Clem is a regular check-in to our FAIRS HF net at 1200z 14.318.5 MHZ on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. All hams are welcome to check into the net.
One of the many things we like about Dominica. The tonic of the wilderness was Henry David Thoreau’s classic prescription for civilization and its discontents, offered in the 1854 essay Walden: Or, Life in the Woods. Now there’s scientific evidence supporting eco-therapy. The Japanese practice of forest bathing is proven to lower heart rate and blood pressure, reduce stress hormone production, boost the immune system, and improve overall feelings of well being. Written by Professor, Anglia Ruskin University
One more reason we like Dominica - Here is Gaynell KK4WWW/J79WW enjoying the hot sulfur spring water. The water comes out of the ground heated by natural underground thermal activity. This is about 1/2 mile from J79USA.
Beautiful tropical flowers on the steps leading down to hot spring pools.
1/24/17 Tuesday. Visited with old friend and his family - Joseph Guiste J73JT. Joseph was the person that introduced us to Dominica 20 years ago. We have kept our friendship active with a visit every year and talking by ham radio almost every week on our regular ham radio schedule. We welcome all hams to join us on our net Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday every week on 14,318.5 Mhz. We donated a new antenna tuner to Joseph and looked over his G5RV antenna system. The antenna is old and being next to the sea has made the antenna operation marginal. FAIRS will be sending a new antenna system to Joseph when we get back home.
Gaynell KK4WWW/J79WW brought items from our friends in the States for the Guiste family. Maria and daughter Goldie had the flu. Not wanting to get the flu, we did not have a long stay, however always good to see old friends.
We always stop at the Castle Bruce bakery and get a few dozen fresh coconut rolls and cookies. They are so good when hot out of the oven. This is the coolest little bakery in the whole world -- hand made in small quantities.
On the way to Castle Bruce we visited the school in Wotten Waven and donated some teaching supplies and a new soccer ball. Every year we bring books and other supplies for the students and teachers. The school has forty students grades 1-6.
Gaynell and I made a visit (1/26/17) to see George James at the National Telecommunications Commission to pick up the latest copy of our Dominica licenses J79USA , J79WW, & J79WWW. We have not used J79USA on the air much from Dominica and it is listed on QRZ.com . We decided to use our "Foundation for International Radio Service' (FAIRS) J79USA to give more exposure to FAIRS.
David and Gaynell Larsen visited the National Telecommunication Regulatory Commission and met with George James the licensing officer (1/26/17). We picked up our renewed J79USA, J79WWW and J79WWW licenses.
David & Gaynell visited with Conrad J73CAJ Thursday 1/26/17 and provided him with some medical supplies. Conrad has been a long time member and supporter of FAIRS.
Gaynell and Gloria Walsh, head of the Love One Teach One Foundation went to the local Nursing Home to take medical supplies and some much needed lap blankets to some of the residents. A sweet lady in Roanoke, Va. heard of the need for these lap blankets and made and donated them to FAIRS to bring to Dominica on this trip.
Gaynell operating J79USA Saturday 1/28/17. Icom 718 transceiver, Ameritron ALS- 500 watt amplifier and Mosley TA-33 beam on 40 foot tower. Location is 3 miles East of Caribbean coast line at 2000 ft elevation in the rain forest of Wotten Waven, Dominica.
David Larsen J79USA/J79WW/KK4WW at the J79USA station in Dominica at the home of Clement J73CPL & Hetty J73HPL Pierre Louis. The home is at about 2000 ft elevation 3 miles East of the Caribbean Ocean in Wotten Waven, Dominica. IC718 transceiver and Ameritron ALS 500 watt amplifier. The antenna is a Mosley TA-33 on a 40 tower. For 40/80 meters the antenna is a 160 meter windom with tuner.
LR Gilbert a solar engineer friend, Raymond J73RJ making 150 contacts on J79USA today 1/28/17 as guest operator. Great job Raymond! On rt David KK4WW/J79WW/J79USA. We are up to about 1300 contacts for this week of casual DXing from Dominica.
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FAIRS work with other groups
We love the Caribbean food - local vegetables, fruit and spices. The hot cocoa tea made with local coconut is absolutely delicious.
Here is a closer look at that dinner plate with dasheen, christophine with cheese, , Yam, blackeyed peas and rice, curry chicken, local salad, coleslaw and of course some hot sauce made in Dominica.
Here is a video our host Clement growing these vegetables and about 35 other fruits and vegetables on his small farm & garden at his and Hetty's home - film made several years ago and very interesting.
Sunset on the porch of our hosts Clement & Hetty Pierre Louis located in the rainforest. This is just a wonderful location to relax and enjoy the solitude of a tropical forest.
Clement and Hetty have two cottages here for rent by the day/week/month. You can operate ham radio and have a great time on the Nature Island of the Caribbean. A ham license is easy to obtain and all call signs are vanity as long as it has not been issued to someone else. There are few hams here and lots of call are available including 1 by 1 --- like J79W --- I think I had this call a few years ago. Come and enjoy some great causal DX. Dominica is still a rare location on many of the bands and modes.
See our N4USA ham radio setup in the high Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia for hams
N4USA is located in our farm office at Chantilly Farm in Floyd, Virginia.
blog "by David Larsen" KK4WW/J79USA/J79WW/N4USA
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| Home of J73CPL & J73CPH our home when visiting. |
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| LR Gaynell & Hetty Pierre Louis |
The view from this porch is one of our favorite places to enjoy the tropical rain forest - See video this relaxing view "click".
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| LR Gaynell, Priest and Clement Pierre Louis |
Clement Pierre Louis J73CPL on the right our host attending his church with Gaynell and the Priest Martin. Clement broke his leg in October 2016 and we were privileged to be with him for the first time back to church after his accident.
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| Raymond J73RJ on tower |
Clement's (J73CPL) transceiver stopped working and he had not used the amateur radio station for the past 5 months. One of my first tasks was to test the antenna system with the new transceiver we carried with us in our carry on bags. The Mosley beam did not work and had very high SWR. This was preventing us from operating. Clement is recovering from a broken leg and I am just too old to climb towers so we could not do any antenna repair.
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| Raymond J73RJ on tower |
FAIRS donates Equipment to Hams in Dominica
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| LR David KK4WW/J79USA Raymond J73RJ receiving the donated HTs. Click For Video |
David & Gaynell, Directors of "The Foundation for Amateur International Radio Service" (FAIRS) made a donation of 2 HTs dual band radios to Raymond for the use of amateur radio operators in Dominica. Raymond J73RJ represented the hams of Dominica receiving the radios. The HTs were donated to FAIRS by Mark Ward KK4TAH of the Floyd Amateur Radio Society for Dominica.
Raymond J73RJ talks about the HT donation
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| Clem James J73CI receiving TS-50 HF transceiver Donation. Radio provided by K4JKA |
HF transceiver donation to Clem James J73CI - TS-50. The radio donated to FAIRS for Dominica project by John Anderson K4JKA. Clem is a regular check-in to our FAIRS HF net at 1200z 14.318.5 MHZ on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. All hams are welcome to check into the net.
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| Forest Bathing in the Rain Forest of Dominca Click for Video |
One of the many things we like about Dominica. The tonic of the wilderness was Henry David Thoreau’s classic prescription for civilization and its discontents, offered in the 1854 essay Walden: Or, Life in the Woods. Now there’s scientific evidence supporting eco-therapy. The Japanese practice of forest bathing is proven to lower heart rate and blood pressure, reduce stress hormone production, boost the immune system, and improve overall feelings of well being. Written by Professor, Anglia Ruskin University
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| Hot Water Therapy in hot spring water. Gaynell KK4WWW/J79WW enjoying the hot pool Click for Video |
Beautiful tropical flowers on the steps leading down to hot spring pools.
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| Joesph Guiste J73JTCastle Bruce, Dominica Click for Video |
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| LR Gaynell KK4WWW/J79WWW, Maria Guiste |
Gaynell KK4WWW/J79WW brought items from our friends in the States for the Guiste family. Maria and daughter Goldie had the flu. Not wanting to get the flu, we did not have a long stay, however always good to see old friends.
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| Gaynell in the Castle Bruce bakery |
We always stop at the Castle Bruce bakery and get a few dozen fresh coconut rolls and cookies. They are so good when hot out of the oven. This is the coolest little bakery in the whole world -- hand made in small quantities.
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| Gaynell Larsen on left with students and teacher at Wotton Waven School. CLICK for video of 2014 visit to school. |
On the way to Castle Bruce we visited the school in Wotten Waven and donated some teaching supplies and a new soccer ball. Every year we bring books and other supplies for the students and teachers. The school has forty students grades 1-6.
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| J79USA license Dominica |
Gaynell and I made a visit (1/26/17) to see George James at the National Telecommunications Commission to pick up the latest copy of our Dominica licenses J79USA , J79WW, & J79WWW. We have not used J79USA on the air much from Dominica and it is listed on QRZ.com . We decided to use our "Foundation for International Radio Service' (FAIRS) J79USA to give more exposure to FAIRS.
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| George James the Dominica Licensing Officer. David J79USA on RT. |
David and Gaynell Larsen visited the National Telecommunication Regulatory Commission and met with George James the licensing officer (1/26/17). We picked up our renewed J79USA, J79WWW and J79WWW licenses.
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| LR Gaynell J79WWW, Conrad J73CAJ. |
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| Gaynell Larsen on right with nurse and two patients |
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| Gaynell Operating J79USA Click for video |
Gaynell operating J79USA Saturday 1/28/17. Icom 718 transceiver, Ameritron ALS- 500 watt amplifier and Mosley TA-33 beam on 40 foot tower. Location is 3 miles East of Caribbean coast line at 2000 ft elevation in the rain forest of Wotten Waven, Dominica.
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| David Larsen operating J79USA. Click for video |
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| LR Gilbert, Raymond J73RJ, David J79USA/KK4WW |
------------------------------------Continued from top of blog
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| Gaynell with some of supplies carried in our suitcase's |
We worked on the Atlantic side of the Island with and helped with a
Kids for Christ Group, an After School Help Program, the DAD
(Dominicans Against Drugs) Group and also have helped with several feeding
programs.
About 10 years ago we also started working
with a non-profit on the Island - Love One Teach One headed by Gloria
Walsh. Over the years we have helped her with some feeding programs,
after school help programs and also worked with the children and parents
in an area near the Capital Roseau. We also have worked with several
schools and provided books and teaching materials and gifts for the
children.
About 6 years ago, the FAIRS Group noticed a lady outside one of the grocery shops in Roseau. After talking with her at great length, I found that she is a retired nurse and lives south of the Capital Roseau but drives there daily and sets up a table outside the store. She helps folks there keep a check on their blood glucose levels and also takes their blood pressure for them. This is very necessary for
folks suffering from diabetes or high blood pressure. Over the years, we have taken thousands of strips and lots of meters and blood pressure machines for the lady to use. Each person that comes by has a little book for her to post the medical findings for the day and if their glucose levels are extremely high or their blood pressure levels are high, she can refer them on to the hospital for additional review.
About 6 years ago, the FAIRS Group noticed a lady outside one of the grocery shops in Roseau. After talking with her at great length, I found that she is a retired nurse and lives south of the Capital Roseau but drives there daily and sets up a table outside the store. She helps folks there keep a check on their blood glucose levels and also takes their blood pressure for them. This is very necessary for
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| Gaynell delivering Med Supplies |
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| Glory Walsh & Gaynell |
This year Gloria Walsh (head of
Love One Teach One) and I took medical supplies we had shipped to
Dominica and some we carried in our bags on this trip to a clinic in
town and also visited a Nursing Home and took a number of the residents
lap blankets. These blankets were made by an elderly lady near our town
for us to take on this trip.
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| Gayenll with lady in the Kalinago Indian Reserve |
FAIRS also works with
folks up in the Kalinago Indian Reserve so we usually spend time up
there. We are working with one family up there and over several years
we have helped with shoes, clothing, medical supplies, etc. I'm just
getting a project started here since our return home to help get needed
sheets, towels, etc. for a shipment to Dominica. One of the ladies we
work with up there had a 15 month old child who came down with pneumonia
and she had to take her to the hospital for a week and she was informed
that she needed to bring sheets, towels, etc. with her. The lady
didn't have any of these items and asked me personally if I could get
her a sheet and some towels in case she had to take the baby back to the
hospital
As you can see from my notes, I truly love
Dominica and the folks there. I really hope to continue our work there
with the children and needy adults as well as with Emergency
Communications. FAIRS motto has always been Building Global Friendships
through Amateur Radio and I would like this to be expanded to help the
needy children and adults also!!
While in Dominica, I
was able to make several contacts on the new radio Dave set up at Hetty
and Clement's residence. Hopefully next trip down to Dominica I will be
able to talk with more hams
FAIRS can use your help:
We always welcome donations of ham radio supplies and funds to assist with this work in Dominica and other locations. FAIRS is a nonprofit 501-C-3 and donations are usually tax deductible. Contact Gaynell or David for more information.
We always welcome donations of ham radio supplies and funds to assist with this work in Dominica and other locations. FAIRS is a nonprofit 501-C-3 and donations are usually tax deductible. Contact Gaynell or David for more information.
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| One of our dinner meals prepared by Hetty |
We love the Caribbean food - local vegetables, fruit and spices. The hot cocoa tea made with local coconut is absolutely delicious.
Here is a closer look at that dinner plate with dasheen, christophine with cheese, , Yam, blackeyed peas and rice, curry chicken, local salad, coleslaw and of course some hot sauce made in Dominica.
Here is a video our host Clement growing these vegetables and about 35 other fruits and vegetables on his small farm & garden at his and Hetty's home - film made several years ago and very interesting.
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| Sunset in Wotten Waven. |
Clement and Hetty have two cottages here for rent by the day/week/month. You can operate ham radio and have a great time on the Nature Island of the Caribbean. A ham license is easy to obtain and all call signs are vanity as long as it has not been issued to someone else. There are few hams here and lots of call are available including 1 by 1 --- like J79W --- I think I had this call a few years ago. Come and enjoy some great causal DX. Dominica is still a rare location on many of the bands and modes.
See our N4USA ham radio setup in the high Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia for hams
N4USA is located in our farm office at Chantilly Farm in Floyd, Virginia.
blog "by David Larsen" KK4WW/J79USA/J79WW/N4USA
Looks like a very relaxing trip! Happy to see Clement healing!!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteHi Lisa - Yes it was a good trip and the travel went well. Our visit was more relaxed then the trips with grandchildren. Always good to see our old friends. We have been making this trip for 20 years and it does seem strange -- some of our friends there were not even born on the first trip now they are in college - thinking of Goldie Guieste.
DeleteClement is healing however it is very slow with not to much rehab and so on.