This coming weekend (May 4-5) will be the Philippine National Hamfest, where amateurs from across the country converge for technical discussions, a bit of operating and the ability to eye-ball-QSO with long-time and new friends. This will be my first time at this event, which is being held at Olongapo City, near the old Subic Bay Naval Base which was maintained by the US Navy for over 25 years. I’ll arrive a day early to escape the heat of the Metro area (the venue is about 3 hours by bus from Manila) – and be taking my Elecraft K2 along with the BuddiStick Deluxe and the AlexLoop antenna for some casual operating.
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While the Philippines is generally a less economically developed country than the US or the EU, it is not without it’s share of honorable mentions – in this country of almost 92-million (most below the poverty line), Philippine hams are one of the most active in emergency services – primarily due to significant weather events that regularly visit this country. Philippine hams are also very active in DX’ing, with a solid hand-full who are currently on the Honor Role. The more affluent hams have antenna farms that would rival any multi-multi stations in the states.
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I was blown away yesterday morning when I joined the DU-Traffic Net (at 07:00 and again at 19:00 on 7.095 LSB) – sitting and listening while Net Control (Ali – 4F1AR) called the net with a broadcaster’s voice, greeting each person by name in English and Tagalog – by my count, there were over 30 check-ins on the net. My small-signal (QRP on a EFHW) was heard, but just barely, but even so – Ali spent the time to inquire about my name, location and greeted me with very typical Filipino warmth.
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There has been talk of a DSTAR repeater here in the Philippines – probably on one of the mountain tops that overlooks the city of Manila and surrounds – typically with about 75-miles radius coverage. In light of that, I will be giving an impromptu DSTAR demo at the Hamfest, using my DVAP and IC-92AD. Assuming the internet connection holds-up, I’ll try to do it from either the meeting room, or one of the recreation venues.
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Tentative schedule for the demo will be on Friday evening and Saturday morning locally (in Manila) – which would translate to FRIDAY morning and evening Eastern - targeting for 08:00-10:00 and 20:00-22:00 EASTERN TIME on Friday, 4-May.
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If all goes as planned – and the internet connection is sufficient – I will connect to REF034C for both demo sessions. It would be greatly appreciated (and most helpful) if a number of you could be available during the above timeslots to join in the demo. It’s always more impactful when we use familiar voices to participate – giving a sense of “connecting with friends half way around the world”.
