I was first licensed in 1952 as WN9VBV, becoming W9VA in April 1977. I was involved in the insurance business in Brazil from 1980 through 1984 and was licensed as PY1ZFO, living in Rio de Janeiro. Through this experience I met a number of great Brazilian hams, and through these connections made my first trip to Fernando de Noronha in March 1988. Since then, I have been back to Noronha 12 times, and was part of the PWØT DXpedition to Trindade Island in 2002. I am QSL Manager for my host on Noronha, Andre PY0FF, as well as my own operations from the island as PY1ZFO/0, ZY0FX, PS0F, and PY0ZFO.  The photo is from trip #12 in March 2009 as PS0F.

I am a member of the Caribbean Contesting Consortium, which operates the PJ2T contest station on Curacao. The DXCC status of Curacao changed on October 10, 2010, when it gained increased autonomy from The Netherlands.  I had the opportunity to operate from PJ2T for almost a week beginning October 12.  Although I have operated from some fairly exotic places, nothing was quite like operating from "An All Time New One!"  Pile-up management was a real issue, and I appreciate the discipline and patience of almost all of those calling.  This was a situation that cried out for a DX Code of Conduct - and fortunately one has been developed by ZL2IFB and others.   Please take a look at the code that follows, and check out the "DX Code" website.  Following the code will make both sides of the pile-up a more pleasant and rewarding experience!     73 Bill

DX Code of Conduct

        I will listen, and listen, and then listen again before calling.

        I will only call if I can copy the DX station properly.

I will not trust the cluster and will be sure of the DX station's call sign before calling.

I will not interfere with the DX station nor anyone calling and will never tune up on the DX frequency or in the QSX slot.

I will wait for the DX station to end a contact before I call.

I will always send my full call sign.

I will call and then listen for a reasonable interval. I will not call continuously.

I will not transmit when the DX operator calls another call sign, not mine.

I will not transmit when the DX operator queries a call sign not like mine.

I will not transmit when the DX station calls other geographic areas than mine.

When the DX operator calls me, I will not repeat my call sign unless I think he has copied it incorrectly.

I will be thankful if and when I do make a contact.

I will respect my fellow hams and conduct myself so as to earn their respect.

 

For more information - check out www.dx-code.org.