Thank You!!

2020 New Years Day Sugar Mas Carnival Parade

Welcome to 2020 and my world of Amateur Radio.

As I begin a new year I like to take a minute to briefly reflect on my amateur radio, and on amateur radio in our Federation, as far back as I can recall. Amateur Radio in St Kitts and Nevis is due in part to the Amateur Radio activity of Amateur Radio Operators, past and present, who dedicated their time and effort to the hobby. There comes a time when we need to give THANKS to all the Amateur Radio Operators and their Families. Amateur Radio Operators are unique, and Families have to develop unique skills to live with people who talk a foreign sounding language and exchange coded messages with other amateur radio operators across the world. This activity sometimes go on for hours, and into the darkest night, when the long distance communication is best.

 This is a short list of Amateur Radio Operators who have helped me, and some of our present amateur radio operators, to bring  our Amateur Radio in our Saint Kitts and Nevis to where it is today. A big Thank You to their Families, who understood what was happening, and for not throwing these Amateur Radio Operators out of the house.  Some of these operators are now SILENT KEYS, but we should never forget their contribution to our VP2K and V44 Amateur Radio experience.  

Ken Mallalieu. VP2KM

Eustace Hicks. VP2KE

Vincent Gey.  VP2KS

Christian Dowe. VP2KB

Sid May. VP2KH

Dr Jacques Simon Cramer.  VP2KD

Val Manchester. V44KV

Glen Dear. VP2SK

Karney Osborne. VP2KO

Capt. Earl Francis. V44NEF

Basil Hartman, VP2KH

Winston Eddy. VP2KL

Burchell Crooke. V44KAZ

Zephaniah Syl Joseph. V44KZ

Terry Nisbett. VP2KQ, V44KQ

Ken Jarvis. VP2KJ, V44KJ

Patrick Mallalieu. VP2KG

Mac Pennyfeather Sr, VP2KP

Lou Edmeade. VP2KX. VE3IMY

2020 is the beginning of a new year in the Amateur Radio life of the Amateur Radio Operators in V4 land, Saint Kitts and Nevis. From my view point I see that the amateur radio fraternity is poised and ready to take off in the right direction. However there are a few elements that are out of sync and could if not dealt with, slow down our progress. I am of the view that our amateur radio operators, as have been proven over the past 40 plus years, possess the ability and capacity to deal with and bypass any obstacles in our path. We have done it before, and we will do it again.

To help the development and growth of Amateur Radio in our Saint Kitts and Nevis is the St Kitts Nevis Anguilla Amateur Radio Society which was started in 1973. In 2015 the Society took a serious look at itself and decided that this was our time. With a new executive headed by President Basil Woods, V44KBW. assisted by Terry Adams, V44KBP, and  Malcolm Herbert, V44MH, they moved the society forward to where it is today. Last year 2019 was a rest year. We now need to move ahead briskly in 2020.

As I move ahead for 2020 there are a few ham radio projects and activities that I will be looking at, and I suspect that other amateur radio operators will have a similar 2020 list of projects and things to do. No priority is assigned to this list.

[a] Move amateur radio from just regular operating into DX mode. This would entail building DX type antennas. Since November 2019  I consulted with hams who know about antenna materials  and strength as I work on a 3-element 40-meter delta loop.  I have the boom just to fabricate the elements and plates. Small wire antennas are not known for making the real DX contacts.  

[b] Band activity. 40-meters is open all year round, irrespective of sunspot activity. There is amateur radio activity on all amateur radio bands, all day, every day, it just not phone/voice/SSB but FT8 and other modes. However one can create their our specific band activity in conjunction with, and the proper use of the dx-summit web cluster.

[c] The growth and development of amateur radio in any country is a product of the amateur radio fraternity there.  If we are serious about amateur radio growth, we need to talk to everyone that can make a difference in our communities.  All Youth groups are fair target. The Amateur Radio Society needs to be involved in this national growth and development project. After all the society gains direct benefit from the membership.

[d] V4 has not been subject to the ravages of any storm and hurricane, as every other island in the region has been, over the last few years. This does not mean we are exempt, it gives us more time to be FULLY prepared for any eventuality. I pray that the amateur radio operators in V4 would take this time to get FULLY prepared, amateur radio wise, so that we can handle any disaster thrown at us in time to come.

[e] In 2020 I hope to see a better working relationship with the NTRC and the Society. If we follow the news, the NTRC in other countries are making the amateur radio news headlines. I wish that the NTRC in Saint Kitts and Nevis could follow in the footsteps of the other islands and make a similar contribution to amateur radio in Saint Kitts and Nevis. This should be easier for us  as we are the smallest in population and size.

Amateur Radio in Saint Kitts and Nevis is alive and doing well. The hobby and sport can do better if the amateur radio operator wish it to be so. All over the world people watch each other, and most let that fashion their future. In V4 we need to get out of that mentality. We know what we all need for our amateur radio. There is nothing stopping us from reaching our goals, let us put on the right mindset and carry our amateur radio and our amateur radio society to another level.

May 2020 be your most successful amateur radio year.

73

Keeth, V44KF