Commonwealth Contest

A DX contest and DX means long distance and challenging radio contacts

More and more contesters are packing their radio and operating from a Commonwealth DX location...

Commonwealth map J6 QTH

With the advent of world wide air travel, simplified licencing and compact radio transceivers its now possible to travel to many of the more unusual Commonwealth locations. Add in the fact that many Commonwealth countries are very desireable holiday destinations and the DXpedition centered on the Commonwealth contest offers a new fun-filled opportunity. Recognising this the organisers of the Commonwealth Contest instituted a new DX Traveller Award for operations from some of the less active Commonwealth Call Areas. In these pages I include reports from Travellers over the past 14 years so you can read about their exploits. In a new section I will be adding basic information for Commonwealth Contests such as QTHs , licencing and local contacts so you too can try out a DXpedition of your own. Please note that I have not included details of stations in VE, VK or ZL as I have only operated as a guest from those call areas.

VP2MXF QSL 5X1NH

Posted by Bob G3PJT June 2011

Commonwealth DX QTH information for would be DXpeditioners...

For up to date licencing information consult the OH2MCN site and Steve Telenius-Lowe book World Licensing and Operating Directory available from the RSGB bookshop. Also the old website DX Holiday but note this is no longer being updated apparently. If you have any information or contacts you would like to share with other DX travellers please send it to me g3pjt AT btinternet DOT com

3B8 Mauritius

QTH - you can rent the apartment at 3B8CF and use Jacky's antennas etc. It has become much easier to get a licence in Mauritius. Applications are referred to local radio society. Useful contact Jacky 3B8CF

8P Barbados

QTH - ham friendly villa - details awaited

9H Malta

QTHs - ham friendly villa on Gozo George at Gozo Holidays, hotel Preluna in Sliema (G3PJT and G4IRN) or the station at Malta Amateur Radio League in Attard. Malta is not CEPT but licencing is no problem. Useful contact Dom 9H1M via Malta Amateur Radio League.

E5 South Cook Islands

QTH - ham friendly hotel is the Kii Kii Motel on Raratonga. Cook Islands Telecom handle licencing which can be fixed in advance. No local contact but G3PJT was there in 2007.

J3 Grenada

QTH - ham friendly hotel is the Rex St Lucian. Colin G3VCQ operated as J38CW (2010). Licencing - no problem Useful website is that of J39BS

J6 Saint Lucia

QTH - ham friendly villa at Light Castle, used by G3PJT (2011) (used by J6DX team too). Licencing is a very long process, can take up to 9 months. Useful local contact is Tot Henry J69MV

J7 Dominica

QTH - ham friendly hotel at Callibashie. Visited by John, G3LZQ, in 2009. Details here

J8 Saint Vincent

QTH - Dave G3TBK regularly operates BERU from a hotel, best to contact Dave for information.

V2 Antigua

QTH - shack to rent at V26B. This super contest station has been used by Gavin GM0GAV (1997) and Nigel, G3TXF (2007).

VP2M Montserrat

QTH - ham friendly villa at Gingerbread Hill visited by Nick G4FAL(2010) and Nigel G3TXF(2011). The website shows that antennas are available and that it is a superb site.

VP5 Turks and Caicos

QTH - ham friendly villa is run by Jody VP5JM . This has been used by G3PJT (VP5C 2000) and by G3TXF (VQ5XF 2008).

VP9 Bermuda

QTH - ham friendly villa is run by Ed VP9GE. . In many ways VP9 is a very good location for the BERU contest with easy propagation to Canda and the UK. G3PJT won from there in 1995.

ZF Cayman Islands

QTH - I used th contest station at Andrew ZF1EJ in 1996 and details of the club and licencing info are here

USE THE ABOVE INFORMATION AT YOUR OWN RISK. I am not responsible for ANY aspect of your DXpedition. DXpeditions can be HAZARDOUS. Take proper precautions.I am not responsible for the accuracy of the information contained in these web pages. Most of the information is no more than a few years old, but the status can change rapidly. You are responsible for finding out all the information and documentation required to travel safely and legally to these locations.