PJ2HQ=IARU Contest Relaxation

By Jamie Dupree NS3T 

For better or for worse, the "HQ" stations in the IARU contest have multiplied in recent years, changing the contest in many ways.

A quick review shows that of the top 25 logs from last year, 24 of those were HQ stations - and 23 of them were from Europe.

For that reason, the IARU contest at PJ2T as PJ2HQ has evolved into more of a "party" operation, rather than an all out contest effort.

"Some years it literally is a party" says Geoff Howard W0CG, the founder of PJ2T, as the PJ2T ops join with members of VERONA, the Curacao ham radio club.

"At one point last year we had over 35 visitors at the QTH," said Howard. "The VERONA hams operate PJ2HQ on a casual, training basis."

"We try our best to expose all of them to HF contesting, training as we go. The result is never a good score, but always lots of fun."

That is somewhat of an amazing quote really, when one considers that PJ2T is the most-worked station on the planet in ham radio contests. But Howard says the IARU gathering is a nice way to relax.

"There are even periods of time during PJ2HQ operations when none of the four radios are on the air, as the party out on the patio is more inviting than the pileups," says Howard.

This year Howard says the picture will be a bit different at PJ2T, as instead of a large party, there will be a more focused operation, with DL6LAU, DL8OBO, DJ8NK and DH8SA joining Howard and assorted VERONA operators.

"Our operation will again be for fun only," says Howard, "There is no chance of competing very effectively from this part of the world, particularly at the bottom of the sunspot cycle."

You can learn much more about the PJ2T contest operation from Curacao at the PJ2T website.