Maldives 2006
8Q7ED Dxpedition to Maldives – December 2006
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Article Summary
Maldives is a known destination for tourism. Many ham operators around the world go to resort islands and enjoy the hobby during their vacations. Mine is a different story. I go to Maldives time to time purely for work related activities. But this time, I was able to get a reciprocal license 8Q7ED during one of my business trips to Male.
Article Highlights
- 8Q7ED My own callsign
- Operating from Hotel terrace
- Speed Boat Riding
- Jet Ski Fun
Kamal Edirisinghe
4S7AB / KA5MAL
Author Dec 2006
Having More than 35 years of experience in the Field of Amateur Radio, I have published many articles in prestigious international publications like, QST, CQ-DL, NCJ, Six-News etc.. Here in this web site, these write-ups are intended to give you knowledge about my designs and projects related to the hobby. The articles about foreign HAM activities are intended to share my experience.
- Full Solar Powered Radio Station
- SO2R and Multi-Multi Compatible
- Operate on All Bands/Modes/SATS
- DXCC #61,271
- IOTA AS-003, CQ-22, ITU-41
Ham Radio from Maldives
Maldives is a known destination for tourism. Many ham operators around the world go to resort islands and enjoy the hobby during their vacations. Mine is a different story. I go to Maldives time to time purely for work related activities. But this time, I was able to get a reciprocal license 8Q7ED during one of my business trips to Male.
Male city is not a place for Dxpeditions. Even the hotel terraces are occupied with many satellite dish antennas and microwave links. It is difficult to put up antennas for decent ham radio communications. But luckily, I was able to get my HF mobile vertical antenna hooked up in my hotel terrace. After getting friendly, the hotel staff has even provided me with some radials HI!.
With this simple setup, I was able to do about 60 QSOs within one day. In between the pileup, I was also answering the business calls. That was on the 6th of December 2006.
I am planning another operation from 19th to 25th December 2006 depending on my work schedule. But this time with a better antenna (Homebrew portable 20m hex beam). CU in the pileup.
If you need 8Q7 you can get it by QSLing to my home call
Below is a video captured while learning to drive a speed boat. This was fun and a first time experience for me. During the deep sea where we cannot see the islands, the GPS comes in very handy in navigation. It is easier to drive the speed boat in the calm seas. But it is really challenging to drive in the rough seas when the water waves are higher than few feet. Thanks to Dhiraagu Telecom licensed boat driver for the excellent training.
