Hamboree 2002

The Hamboree was sponsored by the Guyana Amateur Radio Association and held in Georgetown, Guyana, South America during the weekend of March 30-April 1, 2002. Peter Denny 8R1WD was the host along with other members of the GARA. Dominica, Trinidad & Tobago, and Guyana represented the Caribbean Countries and the USA was represented by Foundation for Amateur International Radio Service (FAIRS) members. Activities included operating the Hamboree station set up in the Tower Hotel where most delegates were located. The group was about 15 delegates and everyone agreed it was a great gathering of Hams for fellowship.

A highlight of the trip was a jet boat trip on Sunday about 60 miles up the Essequibo River and then into the rapids of the Mazaruni River. A portable station was set up during a stop at Baracara Resort (Baracara Island) on the river and a number of contacts were made. Monday was a great outing at Splashmin’s Water Park in Madewini about 40 miles out of Georgetown. This is a really nice recreational area carved out of the native forest to swim, picnic, sunbathe and enjoy the outdoors under sun shelters made of native material. A portable operation was also set up and many contacts on 10 meters were made by members of the group. Later on Monday an antenna raising party gathered at 8R1WD’s QTH where we helped install Peter,s rebuilt triband beam and 40 foot tower.


Tuesday was for resting, packing, last minute shopping for the great bargains on crafts and gold jewelry.

 

 Photos of Hamboree 2002 (Click)
 Photo 1 Gaynell Larsen KK4WWW at the airport in Trinidad waiting for plane to
Georgetown, Guyana. David KK4WW and Gaynell departed their home in Floyd, Virginia at 4:00 AM on 3-28-02 and arrived in Georgetown 1:30 AM the next morning.

 Photo 2

 

 Hamboree group during a tea stop on Jet Boat trip on the rapids of the Mazaruni River.
L-R David 8R1DH, Gaynell KK4WWW, Jeff Chandler 9Z4CG, Nadia, Delores St. Jean
J73 DSJ, David KK4WW, Henry , Noel Donawa 9Y4NED, Peter Denny 8R1WD, Charlie
Chandler- father of 9Z4CG, Paula Irish J73PL, Michael Irish J73MI, and Hetty Perrie
Louis J73HPL.

 Photo 3

 

 

 Visitors to Hamboree radio station- Back L-R: Michael J73MI, Peter 8R1WD, David
KK4WW, Esmond Jones 8R1AK. Front L-R: David 8R1DH, Jeff 9Z4CG, Chris Faria
8R1C and Hetty J73HPL. The Hamboree station was installed in Jeff’s hotel room and
the antenna was a G5RV about 4 stories up over the swimming pool. The station worked
nicely though the local electrical noise was very high.
 Photo 4 Peter 8R1WD and Jeff 9Z4CG on the jet boat. Our Hamboree host 8R1WD kept the
group busy with interesting activities including an all day excursion up the Essequibo and
Mazaruni river rapids
 Photo 5 Jeff 9Y4CG tries the jet boat captain’s chair for a good fit.

 

 Photo 6

 

 Peter 8R1WD operates temporary station while we stop for tea and cake during the boat
trip at Baracara Resort on Baracara Island.
 Photo 7 Noel 9Y4NED having fun making contacts from portable station at Baracara Resort.

 Photo 8

 

 Michael J73MI, Kim-harmonic of Paula J73PL and Paula J73PL. Small falls in the
rainforest. This was reached by a short nature hike after docking the jet boat on a river
bank. Some of the folks jumped in the water and enjoyed relaxation in the water at the
top of the falls. We learned with this experience why the captain said to “be sure to bring
an extra set of clothes”.

 

 Photo 9

 

 

 

 

 Back L-R: Dave KK4WW, Peter 8R1WD, Kelly Toppin, Jerry Faria, and Levar Simon.
Front L-R: Jaime Skeete, Kenny Kandasammy-DaSilva, and Noel 9Y4NED. Boy Scouts
visit radio station and Noel 9Y4NED took the opportunity to give a great lecture about
amateur radio and why they would benefit from being hams. Noel is a Director in the
“International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) and is very interested in bringing young
people into ham radio. This is part of about 40 Scouts that Peter 8R1WD is teaching ham
radio classes for every week. Peter expects a big batch of new young hams in time for
Scout Jamboree on the Air for the Fall of 2002.

 

Photo 10

 

 

 Antenna-raising party Monday evening at the home of Peter 8R1WD. L-R: Sean
Ramdeholl 8R1SR, Chris Faria 8R1C, and Dave 8R1DH. Peter had rebuilt his triband
beam and was just waiting for a group of hams to show up and help get the antenna and
tower reinstalled- Hamboree provided the perfect opportunity

 

 Photo 11

 

 

 Sean 8R1SR and David KK4WW operate portable at splashmans water park--a delightful
recreation area carved out of the forest 40 miles from Georgetown at Madewini.
Peter 8R1WD and Dwain Pkaul 8R1DP arranged this activity which included a wonderful
lunch served in the open on a shaded balcony at the beautiful park on Monday.

 

 Photo 12

 

 

 

 Sean 8R1SR and Dwain 8R1DP (at the mike) operating portable radio station at set-up in
splashmans park. Propagation was very good on 10 meters - US and European contacts
were made with good 59 signal reports. A dipole antenna was put up easily between a
light pole and the corner of a 2 story building. The station is the Guyana FAIRS portable
and emergency station consisting of Alinco DX-70HT, MFJ power supply and home built
antenna.

 

Photo 13

 

 David KK4WW and Peter 8R1WD visit shack of Raj Narrine 8R1RPN. Raj’s shack is
well equipped for DX and Contesting. He host many well known contester to his station.

 

 Photo 14

 

 

 L-R Delores J73DSJ and Hetty J73HPL enjoying the view from the top of the National
Bank building in downtown Georgetown. The white Church building in the background
is one of the tallest wooden buildings in the world - a really beautiful sight.

 

Photo 15

 

 Gaynell in front of Peter 8R1WD’s home -- the antenna in backgound is a result of the
Monday night antenna rising party by the Hamboree folks.

 

Photo 16

 

 Gaynell KK4WWW with beautiful tropical flower. Guyana has many wonderful, flowers,
plants, colorful birds and the rain forest

Information on Guyana and More Photos (click)

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Email me for more information: ...... David Larsen < dlarsen@usit.net >

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