James Gallo, KB2FMH, is no stranger to the challenges and logistics of DXpeditions having recently participated in the IOTA and POTA activation of Kiska Island in Alaska (KL7RRC). When James had the opportunity to join five other ham radio operators for a DXpedition (IOTA and POTA) to Cuba, he didn’t hesitate. In our conversation, James talks about licensing, radio gear, and operating plans as well as offering advice to the hunters who seek to put rare, or new to them, locations in their logs. Importantly, his story is also one of international cooperation within the ham radio community.
I will watch this video when I get a break. When I was in Cuba twice 2017 2018 something like that I got to meet CO2KK Arnie Corro. He said it was strictly forbidden for US operators to operate from Cuba because I was going to bring the QRP rig. This is awesome that you were able to pull this off. I hope to return to Cuba my wife and I do medical mission work and we as a team of Americans and Cubans saw 800 patients for eyeglasses in 4 days. The people were very loving and warm to us Americans. The churches down there were amazing.
They let us Belizens operate there a few times. And I have run HF airmobile when we flown in from Belize. We took a lot of equipment that stayed also V31KW
Like you we had an acceptable reason off the list of 12 that the state department allows. The big club there got us the special call license and approval for us two US ops to be on the air. The people there were very accommodating.
Epic! I'm glad to have logged a 15m ssb QSO with CO0RRC on 5/2. For whatever reason, I don't believe I made it into the POTA log upload, but I'm not at all upset. It happens and I've committed to keeping it fun more than "keeping score". I was ecstatic to have the QSO and ecstatic that you were there to make it happen! 73!
JHS de ASA - You mentioned CO2KK / Arnie Corro. I used to listen regularly to his DXers Unlimited and that was the main reason I'd tune in to R. Habana Cuba , 6000 on the shortwave dial. Of course, the good Cuban Salsa music was always a plus. In the spirit of low tech rigs, I'd often use my single triode #30 regen HF receiver when listening to DXers Unlimited. Great fun, since Arnie was a well known champion of the fun (and often 'necessity') of home brew equipment, often by recycling parts from unused electronic items. 73 de Ray ..._ ._
I have worked James more times when he is working a special event than his own call! Thank you James, Brian, Vincent, and all the New Yorkers putting on the events throughout the year! Thanks for all the fun! Shane.
I hadn't seen any advance warning of the expedition so it was quite funny to tune in to this surprising activation from Cuba and find James dissecting an enormous pileup!