Sint Maarten Island Contact

I’ve been listening to PJ7/ G3TXF on Sint Maarten Island for several days now and hoping for the opportunity to add another new DX entity to the log book. I made this contact easily last night with a single attempt on the 30 meter band.

Sint Maarten is another one of those small islands in the Caribbean area and a tourist destination within a few short hours flight time from the United States. Princess Juliana International Airport is an unusual landing spot because it’s very short runway for these big planes. They need every foot of pavement possible to avoid an embarrassing “dip in the pool”.  

Not for the faint of heart, standing on the beach here is a unique opportunity to experience a new form of wind surfing. Watching giant aircraft landing overhead is spectacular enough, but the “take offs” are quite another thing. Wind surfing takes on an entirely new form, from the rear of one of these planes, when they take off for the home flight.

My DXCC list is getting really short now. Despite my enjoyment of a long CW QSO the last few months.

I’ll be listening for just a few more islands now. 

I’m glad G3TXF decided to spend a few days here and brought along a HF radio. 

John Smithson, Jr., N8ZYA, is a regular contributor to AmateurRadio.com and writes from West Virginia, USA. Contact him at [email protected].

3 Responses to “Sint Maarten Island Contact”

  • Richard KWØU:

    Nice catch John. Hope you got the “FS” DXCC too from the Saint Martin side of the island. It’s funny how the Dutch part generally seems to be more active on the air. Anyway, always a good feeling to knock another one down.

  • christian fazi:

    Hi
    I am trying to find out what paperwork is required to be filed on St Maarten in order to operate ham radio, since after the 2010 referendum for independence, SXM is not part of CEPT.
    SXM is no longer listed as a CEPT country.

    I am on SXM at the moment and will try to find the BPT office and inquire.
    Operating from the French side is much easier for most hams.

    73s

    Chris, kb3bf.

  • Chris, N0UK:

    Hello,Christian.

    Operating from Sint Maarten (PJ7) is permitted as it IS a CEPT signatory.

    73,

    Chris, N0UK, G4JEC.

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