Bill Barr, N4NX operated from Malaysia in October, 2000.
My wife Leah and I took our adventure trip to S.E. Asia from 2 Oct to 12 Dec 2000, including 10 countries. Although not planned as a ham trip, ham friends we had never met before made this the most memorable trip of our lifetime. Here are few of the ham highights:
2-9 Oct We were hosted, entertained and educated by Paul BV4FH, his lovely XYL Christine, and Jimmy BV4AS, and enjoyed our stay at Mr. Tsai's BV4DC home. I operated BV4YB at Paul's 2-3 Oct, QSL BVV4YB via BV4FH.
10-14 Oct Our stay at the wonderful Hillview Gardens Resort with our hosts Alfons 9M6MU and Doris 9M6DU allowed my operation as 9M6NXT. Leah and I both recommend a trip to Hillview Gardens.
16-27 Nov SEANET 2000 in Pattaya, Thailand brought us lots of new friends, and a reunion with some old ones. Thanks to John HS1CHB who let me operate HSØ/N4NX from his ham radio QTH. I only operated the night of 25 Nov on 40 mtrs, but was the high single band score from HS. Thanks to John I now hold the call of HSØZDI
28-30 Nov We were met at the Kuala Lumpur airport by Rabin 9W2PD, a delightful young man we met at SEANET. Rabin was our main host and guide in W. Malaysia and we spent time with his father Hari 9M2PD and Rashid 9M2RS as well. Here, too, we learned much about local culture and had a great time.
Bill operating as 9M6NXT from the Hillview Gardens Resort's Club Station, 9M6AAC; and YES! Bill really used the straight key to make over 1,500 CW QSOs in four nights of operation. That was in addition to the 1,000+ SSB QSOs. The 9M6AAC carving sitting on top of the radio was a gift to Hillview from Bill.
Alfons & Doris, owners of Hillview Gardens, have a unique ritual for all first time HAM guests. Alfons has each guest personalize a one foot square tile of wet cement. The tiles, of which there are now many, are going to be used in a wall at the resort. In addition, each guest personally plants a baby palm tree. The palm trees of early guests are no longer babies. Bill & Leah left their mark!
Our thanks to all our hosts, friends and our new "extended families" for the friendship, generosity and sharing their cultures with us. This is what makes travel so rewarding.
73,
