IZ4AKS

PJ2T is probably the most famous QTH that every operator can rent for a contest. Discover together what is the potential of this location and the easiest way for a dream to become reality.
IZ4AKS: PJ2T is a world-famous station, when did You start to work on this project? How many are the team members?
W0CG: I can’t take all the credit because the house was built in 1970 by W1BIH (PJ9JT) and John used it for decades as a contesting location. I cam along in 2000 when he had become too old to continue and was lucky to be able to buy the place from John. We now have 19 members in our CCC club group and we all help in keeping the station working well.
IZ4AKS: What is the actual setup of the station? Is it complete to work in each contest category (also M/M) ?
W0CG: We have four full stations. Each is an FT-1000 MP or Field, with linears Titan I, Titan II, Titan III and an LK-800 from Radioteam Finland. There’s also capability on 2 and six meters. The station has good Internet connectivity with DSL, and there is digital TV from the U.S., Holland, and South America. We can do M/M by setting up an extra station or two on tables in the shack, b But it is very difficult. It works much better as a M/2 station.

IZ4AKS: A team of radio amateurs interested to rent the QTH, what kind of steps has to follow? And what is the price list of PJ2T?
W0CG: I coordinate the rental visits, so it begins with an E-mail to me at ghoward@kent.edu . In general, the total cost of a week’s rental is about USD1650, plus or minus a little bit depending on the contest and the number of people coming.

IZ4AKS: There are also operators not involved in the world of contest. If They are dreaming moment of huge pileup but also the relax of a dxpedition in a pure holiday style, what they can find renting PJ2T? There is a place near the shack to “store” the wife (HI)?
W0CG: Wife storage is built in! There is a small resort hotel “next door” to the station, about a half kilometre walk down a quiet road. Sunset Waters Beach Resort has a nice beach, SCUBA shop, restaurant, and most watersports available for XYLs and kids while the OMs are on the air. www.sunsetwaters.com The rooms there are not five star, but it is clean and a very friendly resort to visit.

IZ4AKS: What are the procedures to have a valid PJ2 licence? Is it possible to have brand new PJ2 callsign or it is mandatory to transit as PJ2/Home-callsign?
W0CG: CEPT nations simply can sign like PJ2/I2UIY…. For a contest, it is possible to get a callsign of the form PJ2_ that is valid for the 48 hours of the contest. It only costs USD 61 for the license, but application needs to be made about three months ahead. www.pj2t.org under “Amateur Licensing” explains how to do it and has a downloadable form.

IZ4AKS: Fortunately, there is not only radio in life. What your guest can’t miss to visit in Curacao?
W0CG: the big draw in Curacao is it is WARM. The sun and warm weather are there 365 days a year (almost) and that’s the best reason to go there. The second reason is that we have the nicest people in the world. The island vegetation is not attractive – it is sticky bushes and cactus, but underwater Curacao has some of the best SCUBA diving.