View Full Version : KCØW......I'm outta here!!!
Hello all,
First of all, thanks to everyone here on QRZ for the many enjoyable hours of fun that I have had over the years. I have learned quite a bit & maybe have helped a few others along the way regarding all things Amateur Radio.
Some of you might be aware of my proposed plans of moving to Montserrat this fall. After two years of emails & two visits there, I have decieded to part ways with this idea. Too much government "red tape", lack of employment & an active local volcano helped seal the fate of this deal.
For quite a few months now I have been in contact with
numerous individuals on the island of St. Helena (ZD7 land) regarding relocating there. They first had to set a Immigration hearing to approve/deny my long term residency status on the island. I'm happy to state that the immigration officials approved my request for long term visa status.
I will be departing Minnesota on September 1st & will arrive in Cape Town, South Africa a day later. I will then board a ship for the FIVE day journey to the island. There are not any airports on the island. One is planed for completion in 2011.
For those who are unaware of where St. Helena is located, it's a small British owned island 2/3 of the way between Brazil and Africa. It is south of Ascension island & north of Tristan da Cunha island. Look for it on your radio world map hanging right in front of you. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
I'm bringing along PLENTY of radio gear & antennas. A really nice home has been secured in a long term rental agreement should I wish to continue to stay at this given home or look for others. The home has a great takeoff angle favoring north north east & north north west. There are only a few other neighbors houses near this home. PERFECT for radio!!!! I will make a special effort working 80/160 meters for all of you low band guys.
Last week I received the callsign that I applied for. It is ZD7X.........Is that a GREAT callsign or what? My QSL manager is WØMM & all cards will be handled thru him either direct or via the bureau. ZD7X has been added to the QRZ database & will be added to all of the others as well.
Internet service is rather expensive on the island. Believe it or not, it is 20 cents per minute during the day and it drops down to 10 cents per minute at night. You will see posts from ZD7X every now & then on QRZ, but we will have to see how my Internet expenses go.
This is an exciting time in my life right now. The future is looking interesting to say the least. Amateur Radio has been a HUGE part of my life for many years now. I hope to work many of you on CW/SSB (digi modes?) as ZD7X real soon. I will be very active on the radio. Be it either contesting or just chewing the rag, it's going to be a blast.
OK, again thanks to all who make this web site what it is. See ya all from St. Helena island in September!!!
Tom ZD7X
Congratulations, Tom!
I am happy that they finally approved your immigration papers!
On a side note, I'm almost done putting the HD-70 together. I just have one more section to assemble.
Hope to work you MonstIR to MonstIR!
K4GUN
07-06-2007, 04:22 PM
Wow! I saw the title to this topic and completely misunderstood. I thought this was another "I'm so tired of all the crap so I'm selling all my stuff and leaving in a grumpy huff." I am so glad to see that I was wrong. I'm very excited for you and wish you all the best. You're living a dream. Savor it!
73
K4GUN
Steve
W3MIV
07-06-2007, 04:27 PM
Good luck, Tom. Bonaparte did not think much of the place; I hope your mileage is different!
73 de
N8CPA
07-06-2007, 04:30 PM
Tom, I will miss your posts. Good heavens, man! The Zed is losing its sacred C0W!
Pestilence must be at hand.
WB2WIK
07-06-2007, 04:39 PM
Will catch you on the bands for sure, Tom.
BTW if St. Helena gets boring, cold or some other thing that makes it undesirable, there's a great QTH for sale right now in the Caribbean...on American soil, no immigration stuff required...Joe, KV2AA from St. Thomas is selling his home after about 30 years on the island and moving back to the mainland.
His QTH is, as you might know, absolutely outstanding, up high on a hill overlooking the ocean. With a quad at thirty feet he had one of the biggest signals on the bands for many years.
Would be a shame if another ham didn't buy that place!
73
Steve WB2WIK/6
KC2ESD
07-06-2007, 04:43 PM
KC0W good luck on St Helena. That island is 5800 miles from my island in NJ. The good news its a all water path so contact between KC2ESD/ZX3 and KC0W/ZD7X is a good possiblity. The only problem Tom is when you get on the air on St Helena you will cause a pile up that I might be unable to bust.
73 and Good Luck de Rick KC2ESD
BTW ZX3 is the model Ford Focus I have, not a Ham Call. Just put it in there for fun.
Quote[/b] (WB2WIK @ July 06 2007,11:39)]Will catch you on the bands for sure, Tom.
BTW if St. Helena gets boring, cold or some other thing that makes it undesirable, there's a great QTH for sale right now in the Caribbean...on American soil, no immigration stuff required...Joe, KV2AA from St. Thomas is selling his home after about 30 years on the island and moving back to the mainland.
His QTH is, as you might know, absolutely outstanding, up high on a hill overlooking the ocean. With a quad at thirty feet he had one of the biggest signals on the bands for many years.
Would be a shame if another ham didn't buy that place!
73
Steve WB2WIK/6
How much is he selling it for?
Wow, congrats Tom! Sounds like the experience of a lifetime.
WB2WIK
07-06-2007, 05:12 PM
Quote[/b] (N2RJ @ July 06 2007,09:44)]Quote[/b] (WB2WIK @ July 06 2007,11:39)]Will catch you on the bands for sure, Tom.
BTW if St. Helena gets boring, cold or some other thing that makes it undesirable, there's a great QTH for sale right now in the Caribbean...on American soil, no immigration stuff required...Joe, KV2AA from St. Thomas is selling his home after about 30 years on the island and moving back to the mainland.
His QTH is, as you might know, absolutely outstanding, up high on a hill overlooking the ocean. #With a quad at thirty feet he had one of the biggest signals on the bands for many years.
Would be a shame if another ham didn't buy that place!
73
Steve WB2WIK/6
How much is he selling it for?
I don't really know, but I know Joe well enough that I can ask him!
I'll do that; but if you're seriously interested, contact Joe:
primero@surfvi.com
...or look for him on the air! He took his quad down already but still has a 75m loop up and it seems to work all bands pretty well. We chatted last night on 17m SSB around 18.130.
73
Steve WB2WIK/6
Okay, I am not really seriously interested as I just spent over $400k for a house here in NJ, but I was curious as to what the prices were in the VI.
In the future I may consider purchasing a vacation home/rent-a-QTH/contest QTH.
KI4MRU
07-06-2007, 05:31 PM
For those who, like me, don't have an amateur radio world map (I really should get one) you can find St. Helena on "the Google (http://maps.google.com/maps?q=-15.961329,-5.712891&ie=UTF8&ll=-15.961329,-5.712891&spn=1.637179,1.262054&z=10&om=1)". http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif Sounds like an amazing adventure! Hope to catch you on the air from there someday...
Quote[/b] (N2RJ @ July 06 2007,17:20)]Okay, I am not really seriously interested as I just spent over $400k for a house here in NJ, but I was curious as to what the prices were in the VI.
I spent many, many hours researching homes in the Virgin Islands (both US & British) over the past few years.
Two words: NOT CHEAP
Go to Re/Max or other reality company sites with properties in the VI for sale. It will floor you.
The quickest/most seamless move that I could have made would have been moving to the VI or Hawaii.........Nah, that would have been too easy!!!
Tom kcØw
W0BKR
07-06-2007, 05:36 PM
Waddaya mean "outta here"? I assume they have internet there too! Afterall, Al Gore invented it!
Seriously though, good luck on the new life adventure from an exotic place. Hope all goes well, adjustment is minimal and excitement and fun optimum.
Hope to hear you on HF, VHF someday once you get set up. Drop us all a note on here. Love to hear how things are going.
Keep a spare bedroom for some of the free loader QRZers out here!
Again.....GL!
Quote[/b] (KC0W @ July 06 2007,12:35)]Quote[/b] (N2RJ @ July 06 2007,17:20)]Okay, I am not really seriously interested as I just spent over $400k for a house here in NJ, but I was curious as to what the prices were in the VI.
I spent many, many hours researching homes in the Virgin Islands (both US & British) over the past few years.
Two words: NOT CHEAP
Go to Re/Max or other reality company sites with properties in the VI for sale. It will floor you.
The quickest/most seamless move that I could have made would have been moving to the VI or Hawaii.........Nah, that would have been too easy!!!
Tom kcØw
Well thanks for the warning. I figured it wouldn't be cheap...
I guess I could look for a piece of land in Trinidad. The sugar cane company is selling its old plantations. If you're a citizen of Trinidad and Tobago you're entitled to bid on a lot of land. I think I might do that.
WB2WIK
07-06-2007, 05:53 PM
Quote[/b] (KC0W @ July 06 2007,10:35)]Quote[/b] (N2RJ @ July 06 2007,17:20)]Okay, I am not really seriously interested as I just spent over $400k for a house here in NJ, but I was curious as to what the prices were in the VI.
I spent many, many hours researching homes in the Virgin Islands (both US & British) over the past few years.
Two words: NOT CHEAP
Go to Re/Max or other reality company sites with properties in the VI for sale. It will floor you.
The quickest/most seamless move that I could have made would have been moving to the VI or Hawaii.........Nah, that would have been too easy!!! #
# # # # # # # # # # # # # # #Tom kcØw
I guess it depends what you compare it to.
But St. Thomas, for example, is considerably cheaper than Los Angeles for equivalent properties.
I just looked here:
http://www.marshamaynes.com/Nav.asp....=562111 (http://www.marshamaynes.com/Nav.aspx/Page=/PageManager/Default.aspx/PageID=562111)
...and found lots of homes in the $300K to $750K range, 3-4 bedrooms, 2-3 bathrooms, property (.25 to .50 acres and larger), and mostly "view" properties up in the hills with an ocean and island view.
That is very cheap compared to "here." A view lot (ocean view) on any kind of hill with any kind of house in these parts starts at probably $1.2 million and goes up rapidly if the house is nice.
Everything's relative!
WB2WIK/6
WA3KYY
07-06-2007, 06:17 PM
Quote[/b] (WB2WIK @ July 06 2007,13:53)]Quote[/b] (KC0W @ July 06 2007,10:35)]Quote[/b] (N2RJ @ July 06 2007,17:20)]Okay, I am not really seriously interested as I just spent over $400k for a house here in NJ, but I was curious as to what the prices were in the VI.
I spent many, many hours researching homes in the Virgin Islands (both US & British) over the past few years.
Two words: NOT CHEAP
Go to Re/Max or other reality company sites with properties in the VI for sale. It will floor you.
The quickest/most seamless move that I could have made would have been moving to the VI or Hawaii.........Nah, that would have been too easy!!! #
# # # # # # # # # # # # # # #Tom kcØw
I guess it depends what you compare it to.
But St. Thomas, for example, is considerably cheaper than Los Angeles for equivalent properties.
I just looked here:
http://www.marshamaynes.com/Nav.asp....=562111 (http://www.marshamaynes.com/Nav.aspx/Page=/PageManager/Default.aspx/PageID=562111)
...and found lots of homes in the $300K to $750K range, 3-4 bedrooms, 2-3 bathrooms, property (.25 to .50 acres and larger), and mostly "view" properties up in the hills with an ocean and island view.
That is very cheap compared to "here." #A view lot (ocean view) on any kind of hill with any kind of house in these parts starts at probably $1.2 million and goes up rapidly if the house is nice.
Everything's relative!
WB2WIK/6
Man! I could sell my "starter home" a small 3 bedroom 1-1/2 bath single story on 6000 sq ft lot in suburban DC and buy a much nicer home in the VI and have enough left over for a very nice antenna farm. Too bad there are no US military health care facilties there or I might be able to convince the XYL we should retire there.
Mike WA3KYY
N4AUD
07-06-2007, 06:18 PM
Good luck in your new home, OM. We'll listen for your pileups!
ve2nsm
07-06-2007, 06:29 PM
Quote[/b] (k4gun @ July 06 2007,12:22)]Wow! I saw the title to this topic and completely misunderstood. I thought this was another "I'm so tired of all the crap so I'm selling all my stuff and leaving in a grumpy huff." I am so glad to see that I was wrong. I'm very excited for you and wish you all the best. You're living a dream. Savor it!
73
K4GUN
Steve
I thought the same thing that's why I did not open it at first http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
Happy for you man! I hope to work you from island to island soon... even if my island is quite bigger and the only view I have from my house is the street http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif
WB2WIK
07-06-2007, 06:33 PM
Quote[/b] (WA3KYY @ July 06 2007,11:17)]Man! #I could sell my "starter home" a small 3 bedroom 1-1/2 bath single story on 6000 sq ft lot in suburban DC and buy a much nicer home in the VI and have enough left over for a very nice antenna farm. #Too bad there are no US military health care facilties there or I might be able to convince the XYL we should retire there.
Be careful what you wish for, though.
I love USVI, the islands are beautiful as are the beaches, the water's perfect, the snorkeling and diving's great, and it could be a ham radio paradise.
Real estate is not expensive there.
Then, look at some of the "services."
I note that broadband internet access on St. Thomas is available...1 Mbps connection speed...for $995 a month! Holy moly.
There are some other "services" that are very cheap on the mainland, especially in metro areas, that can be either very expensive or not available at all.
You have to take the good with the bad...
WB2WIK/6
A71AN
07-06-2007, 06:39 PM
Quote[/b] (KC0W @ July 06 2007,09:07)]Hello all,
First of all, thanks to everyone here on QRZ for the many enjoyable hours of fun that I have had over the years. I have learned quite a bit & maybe have helped a few others along the way regarding all things Amateur Radio.
Some of you might be aware of my proposed plans of moving to Montserrat this fall. After two years of emails & two visits there, I have decieded to part ways with this idea. Too much government "red tape", lack of employment & an active local volcano helped seal the fate of this deal.
For quite a few months now I have been in contact with
numerous individuals on the island of St. Helena (ZD7 land) regarding relocating there. They first had to set a Immigration hearing to approve/deny my long term residency status on the island. I'm happy to state that the immigration officials approved my request for long term visa status.
I will be departing Minnesota on September 1st & will arrive in Cape Town, South Africa a day later. I will then board a ship for the FIVE day journey to the island. There are not any airports on the island. One is planed for completion in 2011.
For those who are unaware of where St. Helena is located, it's a small British owned island 2/3 of the way between Brazil and Africa. It is south of Ascension island & north of Tristan da Cunha island. Look for it on your radio world map hanging right in front of you. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
#I'm bringing along PLENTY of radio gear & antennas. A really nice home has been secured in a long term rental agreement should I wish to continue to stay at this given home or look for others. The home has a great takeoff angle favoring north north east & north north west. There are only a few other neighbors houses near this home. PERFECT for radio!!!! I will make a special effort working 80/160 meters for all of you low band guys.
Last week I received the callsign that I applied for. It is ZD7X.........Is that a GREAT callsign or what? My QSL manager is WØMM & all cards will be handled thru him either direct or via the bureau. ZD7X has been added to the QRZ database & will be added to all of the others as well.
Internet service is rather expensive on the island. Believe it or not, it is 20 cents per minute during the day and it drops down to 10 cents per minute at night. You will see posts from ZD7X every now & then on QRZ, but we will have to see how my Internet expenses go. #
This is an exciting time in my life right now. The future is looking interesting to say the least. Amateur Radio has been a HUGE part of my life for many years now. I hope to work many of you on CW/SSB (digi modes?) as ZD7X real soon. I will be very active on the radio. Be it either contesting or just chewing the rag, #it's going to be a blast.
OK, again thanks to all who make this web site what it is. See ya all from St. Helena island in September!!!
# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # Tom ZD7X
Congratulations my friend, although we never leave out country, I wish you all of the best where every you go, peace and joy.
73
KB3LIX
07-06-2007, 06:56 PM
Best of luck Tom, and PLEASE listen for the weakest signal on the band.
It will be ME !!!
All the Best !!
http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
Good luck at your new QTH. One thing bothers me...
do they have cows? http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif
ve2nsm
07-06-2007, 07:01 PM
Quote[/b] (KI4MRU @ July 06 2007,13:31)]For those who, like me, don't have an amateur radio world map (I really should get one) you can find St. Helena on "the Google (http://maps.google.com/maps?q=-15.961329,-5.712891&ie=UTF8&ll=-15.961329,-5.712891&spn=1.637179,1.262054&z=10&om=1)". http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif Sounds like an amazing adventure! Hope to catch you on the air from there someday...
Too bad the GE image supplier sent their satellite to take a shot 12km too much north http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif
You can see the capital Jamestown and a part of the north-west coast... but it's quite cloudy.
KC0W, do you have the precise coordinates of your future home? No, it's not to send you a missile http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif
ai4ep
07-06-2007, 07:46 PM
http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif Aw he aint going no where, he made the whole thing up just to impress you folks.
In reality he bought the spot of land about a half mile from ME, and he didnt know I lived in the area until he had done went and signed the papers. No need in asking which of us is down wind from the other.
Facts on the table TOM, best wishes from Alabama, and we may still make an " on-the-air " contact someday ...and looking forward to it.
AI4EP (Robert) http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
KC9GHA
07-06-2007, 07:56 PM
Quote[/b] (KC0W @ July 06 2007,11:07)]Internet service is rather expensive on the island. Believe it or not, it is 20 cents per minute during the day and it drops down to 10 cents per minute at night. You will see posts from ZD7X every now & then on QRZ, but we will have to see how my Internet expenses go.
Well, there's always WINLINK! http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif
Good luck with your move.
WA2ZDY
07-06-2007, 08:11 PM
Congratulations Tom, I'll be sorry to see you go.
I think you could have done better on the call though. ZD7X may be ok, but ZD7Y would be better!
GL OM!
Sure one can purchase a home in the VI for $150,000 & have a postage stamp sized yard. All thru life when I have done something I have done it whole hog. Land is where it's at in terms of true Amateur Radio enjoyment. Price a home with one acre with a clear shot beaming NE & NW in the VI & you will see what I'm talking about.
This is far too serious of a hobby to be conducted on a 100' x 100' plot of land. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
Tom kcØw
Congrats, Tom and good luck!
Quote[/b] (KC0W @ July 06 2007,17:43)]Sure one can purchase a home in the VI for $150,000 & have a postage stamp sized yard. All thru life when I have done something I have done it whole hog. Land is where it's at in terms of true Amateur Radio enjoyment. Price a home with one acre with a clear shot beaming NE & NW in the VI & you will see what I'm talking about.
This is far too serious of a hobby to be conducted on a 100' x 100' plot of land. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
Tom kcØw
Amen brotha...
Even though I have 40+ miles of commute to work, I don't regret moving this far out and having 6.1 acres of land to play radio with.
w6vps
07-07-2007, 12:40 AM
Wow! What an adventure. I wish you well.
I wonder about the reasons for your decision ( yes I understand it is your business not mine...but just curious ) Regardless... as Spock says...Live Long and Prosper. Good DX to you.
73 Paul/W6VPS
KA4DPO
07-07-2007, 12:56 AM
Best of luck Tom, I'll look for you on 75 and 80 and would love to work you from your new QTH. I really hope it works out well for you.
John..
wa9cwx
07-07-2007, 01:12 AM
Tom,
Good luck and I wish you well.
And yes, what DOES take you from our dear midwest, if you care to mention it. You will be missed here, post if you can !
In any case 73, and hope to work you.
Frank
Quote[/b] (N2RJ @ July 06 2007,10:41)]Quote[/b] (KC0W @ July 06 2007,12:35)]Quote[/b] (N2RJ @ July 06 2007,17:20)]Okay, I am not really seriously interested as I just spent over $400k for a house here in NJ, but I was curious as to what the prices were in the VI.
I spent many, many hours researching homes in the Virgin Islands (both US & British) over the past few years.
Two words: NOT CHEAP
Go to Re/Max or other reality company sites with properties in the VI for sale. It will floor you.
The quickest/most seamless move that I could have made would have been moving to the VI or Hawaii.........Nah, that would have been too easy!!!
Tom kcØw
Well thanks for the warning. I figured it wouldn't be cheap...
I guess I could look for a piece of land in Trinidad. The sugar cane company is selling its old plantations. If you're a citizen of Trinidad and Tobago you're entitled to bid on a lot of land. I think I might do that.
Jamaica, may favourite spot in the Caribbean has decent prices if you don't want Ocean front/view and don't want to live in MBJ, Ocho Rios or one of the top tourist spots.
You might also consider Cuba, property has been climbing in value, but it's still way under priced for the Caribbean. People are friendly, the weathers good, food is cheap, you can't beat the cigars. Rent is dirt cheap. Oh and the health care system is second to none in the Western Hemisphere. The place is swarming with ex-pats from all over.
OK, here is the short version on why I'm moving to St. Helena.
When I hit the age of 40 two years ago, I figured there must be more to life than working 68+ hour work weeks year after year after year. After work everyday I would either go out with friends or come home, watch a little TV/do a little CW & go to bed. Only to get up tomorrow and do it all over again. And again. And again.
This kind of serious work dedication had a partial role in my divorce five years ago. We decided not to have kids. One great thing about not having kids is that I'm free to do whatever the hell I want to in life. Including moving to a small island in the South Atlantic ocean.
We are only here for a short amount of time. One should live out their dreams if they can find a way of doing so. The thought of being chained to my government job (although a very good job) for the rest of my life horrifies me to no avail. Change jobs you say? OK, sounds great. I can then dream the rest of my life what could have been regarding moving to a pretty unique place. Maybe this reasoning sounds kinda Hippie Dippy in nature, I don't know.
Too many people live their life by "someday". Someday I will get that new lawnmower........Someday I will see London....... Someday I will buy that Corvette that I have dreamed about ever since I was a kid. Well guess what? "Someday" NEVER really happens in most cases. Too many other obstacles get in the way & pretty soon you live your life in a shoulda, woulda, coulda state...... You know the famous movie line, "I could have been a contender".
Don't get me wrong, I love living in this country & might miss a lot of the conveniences that we take for granted here. I lived in Romania for three years starting just after the Revolution in December of 1989. I would not trade those experiences in Romania for anything in the world. I also spent several years spent living in Hungary, Czech Republic & Poland. Adapting to foreign living/customs is really quite interesting.
So now you know the rest of the story.
Tom kcØw
WB2WIK
07-07-2007, 04:13 AM
Quote[/b] (KC0W @ July 06 2007,19:31)]After work everyday I would either go out with friends or come home, watch a little TV/do a little CW & go to bed. Only to get up tomorrow and do it all over again. And again. And again.
I saw that movie. It was called "Groundhog Day!" http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif
Re the R/E in USVI, I spoke with Joe KV2AA:
His place that's for sale right now is 3/4 acre (about 35,000 square foot lot) on a hill overlooking the sea. It's a 3-level home with 3BR/2BA on the top floor; a 2BR/1BA apartment on the middle floor (currently rented out, with a tenant); and a "guest cottage" facility on the ground floor.
His signal from there has been, well, historical. He is often S9+ when everybody else in that area is weak due to crappy condx.
I've never been to ZD7 and may never make it there, but I have been to VP8 (Faulklands) and must admit it was a very interesting place to visit, but I missed modern amenities pretty fast.
If I was 40 and single, I could live anywhere!
At 55 and married with four kids and grandchildren likely in the next few years, have to stay close to the Geritol bottle. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif
73 & CU on CW
Steve WB2WIK/6
Quote[/b] (w9cq @ July 06 2007,20:58)]Quote[/b] (N2RJ @ July 06 2007,10:41)]Quote[/b] (KC0W @ July 06 2007,12:35)]Quote[/b] (N2RJ @ July 06 2007,17:20)]Okay, I am not really seriously interested as I just spent over $400k for a house here in NJ, but I was curious as to what the prices were in the VI.
I spent many, many hours researching homes in the Virgin Islands (both US & British) over the past few years.
Two words: NOT CHEAP
Go to Re/Max or other reality company sites with properties in the VI for sale. It will floor you.
The quickest/most seamless move that I could have made would have been moving to the VI or Hawaii.........Nah, that would have been too easy!!!
Tom kcØw
Well thanks for the warning. I figured it wouldn't be cheap...
I guess I could look for a piece of land in Trinidad. The sugar cane company is selling its old plantations. If you're a citizen of Trinidad and Tobago you're entitled to bid on a lot of land. I think I might do that.
Jamaica, may favourite spot in the Caribbean has decent prices if you don't want Ocean front/view and don't want to live in MBJ, Ocho Rios or one of the top tourist spots.
You might also consider Cuba, property has been climbing in value, but it's still way under priced for the Caribbean. People are friendly, the weathers good, food is cheap, you can't beat the cigars. Rent is dirt cheap. Oh and the health care system is second to none in the Western Hemisphere. The place is swarming with ex-pats from all over.
Sorry, but I don't think I'd do Cuba!
Jamaica, been there, done that. I don't like it all that much.
Since I know lots of people in Trinidad, and since I've lived there for most of my life it's a natural choice for me to set up a contest QTH there.
But with CSME and Caricom passports being issued now, I may have mobility across most of the Caribbean when it gets enacted, so I could consider other Caribbean destinations.
VO1GXG
07-07-2007, 05:56 AM
GOOD LUCK!
Quote[/b] (KC0W @ July 06 2007,21:31)]So now you know the rest of the story.
http://archive.salon.com/people/bc/2001/09/25/harvey/story.jpg
K0CRX
07-07-2007, 02:56 PM
Good luck, Tom! Wow, that's a major, big time adventure.
kb9lei
07-07-2007, 06:57 PM
Tom:
Best wishes for safe travels and all you hope for on your new chapter. Just go to the beach some evening and lift a drink into the sunset for all of us still in the midwest! Especially if it is January or February. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cool.gif
WA9SVD
07-07-2007, 07:13 PM
Tom,
Well, get off line and get MOOVING already. We are all impatient to makea new DX contact.
Seriously, good luck in your new venture.
We'll all miss you here, and look forward to hearing you on the air.
73
K3STX
07-07-2007, 07:33 PM
Sounds like fun and a perfectly reasonable plan, Tom.
Have a great time, and I'll find you in CQ WW.
73 OM, you are right, we only live once so just do it!!
paul
n1ese
07-07-2007, 08:49 PM
I've entertained the thought of expating to Cartagena on multiple occasions. Have a blast COW, I'm jealous.
KB1KIX
07-08-2007, 02:41 AM
Congrats COW!
Man, sucks to not have your posts here as much as before, but... man.... the opportunities.......
I need the DX in my log so - get over there.... set up the antennas..... c'mon man, whadaya waitin' for!
Seriously, hope the move makes you insanely happy and you get to have as much great time off the air, as on - beautiful part of the world!
Jonathan
cu2jt
07-08-2007, 02:50 PM
A courageous decision I may say. I checked up some facts about St Helena. Size is about 164 sq miles and in 2005, there were about 4,000 people on the island.
I moved out from Sweden to São Miguel Island in the Azores about 3 years ago. This island is abut 293 sq miles and has about 160,000 people living here and about 100,000 cows.
This island is big enough and there are other things to do than operate ham radio. There are theaters, museums, golf courses, bridge clubs etc. The only snag is that they speak Portuguese...
I visited the island of Rarotonga once (Cook Islands) and we stayed at a motel. Rarotonga looked like a nice place to live so I asked the owner, a New Zealander, what it was like and I can still hear his answer: It is OK but you gotta have some money in the bank because sometimes you just have to getouta here ! The thing was that the nearest place to go was NZ or Tahiti, both about 5 hours flight away.
Wish you good luck !
k0dxc
07-09-2007, 07:05 PM
NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif What's wrong with Minnesota?? http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif aaaa, heck what am I saying?
(i'd do the same thing http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif)
Tom, I just stumbled across this:
http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/regulations/io/recip-info_p.html#zd7
"There is a power limit of 100 watts."
DOes this mean you're selling your amps? http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif
Quote[/b] (KC0W @ July 06 2007,19:31)]So now you know the rest of the story.
Tom kcØw
Interesting story for shure. I was backwards from you. I was divorced after a short marriage when I was in my early 20s. I worked at a job that payed well and spent every free minute hiking, camping, traveling, or chasing after fires as a FF. During my first marriage I was working for several popular radio stations so I got to meet ALOT of famous people. So I led an adventurous life until I hit 35. I met my present wife and married, raised kids, worked hard, etc. So I have had 2 completely different lives.
I wouldn't trade either of them for anything else. Go after your dream and best of luck. Don't look back.
NO more 30 below and 3 feet of snow,,, Can i go along
W0BKR
07-12-2007, 09:03 PM
Expect to see some postings from you on some of those nude beaches, at least, topless ones! Hi.
GL and use your sun screen!
AB8RU
07-13-2007, 03:24 AM
Too bad you cannot get Sattelite Internet down there maybe the taxes maybe makes it high Government making money somehow.
ve2nsm
07-13-2007, 04:40 AM
Quote[/b] (W0BKR @ July 12 2007,17:03)]Expect to see some postings from you on some of those nude beaches
Mmmmh, I guess you should continue this by mail, that's more information than I need http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif
ve2nsm
07-13-2007, 04:42 AM
Quote[/b] (AB8RU @ July 12 2007,23:24)]Too bad you cannot get Sattelite Internet down there maybe the taxes maybe makes it high Government making money somehow.
If I remember well, this is under the footprint of GALAXY XI KUband satellite, you might want to check it out.