XE2/WD9EWK on the air from Mexico
Updated 24 February 2009
I have been to Mexico many times recently to visit friends and also operate my
radios from there. It is really fun to be the DX instead of just trying
to get the DX from home. After a lot of hassle, I finally filed for
Mexican amateur-radio permits (not an easy
process) and have enjoyed the experience of
operating from a foreign country - even if that means a 4-hour drive from my
home and going just 3 miles/5km into that country to a friend's home, or just
a few yards/meters across the border. Details of my trips are on the
links listed below:
- 26-29 May 2000 from Mexicali, Baja
California
- 12 September 2000 from Mexicali, Baja
California
- 29 December 2000 - 1 January 2001 from
Mexicali, Baja California
- 3 May 2001 from Mexicali, Baja California
- 1-3 September 2001 from Mexicali and
Rumorosa, Baja California
- 21 January 2002 from Mexicali, Baja
California
- 8-9 February 2002 from Tecate, Baja
California
- 24-28 May 2002 from Mexicali and Rumorosa,
Baja California
- 17-18 January 2003 from Mexicali, Baja
California
- 14-17 February 2003 from Mexicali and San
Felipe, Baja California
- 21-22 March 2003 from locations in northern Sonora, within 70km/43 miles
south of Nogales, Sonora
- 3-4 May 2003 from Imuris, Sonora - operating as part of
4A2Q
- 29 August - 1 September 2003 from Mexicali,
Baja California and San Luis Rio Colorado, Sonora - plus a brief time as
WD9EWK/6 in Seeley (Imperial County), California
- 5-6 September 2004 from Rumorosa, Baja
California
- 19 and 22 February 2009 from Mexicali, Baja California
Under Mexican regulations, I am not allowed to operate in a
"DXpedition", in contests, or from Mexican islands without special
authorization - authorization that is not easy to obtain, usually impossible
unless working with a larger group of Mexican hams. This seems to me a
bit unfair, considering that Mexican hams are permitted to operate in the USA
without filing for a permit and without restrictions other than not exceeding
the privileges of the USA Amateur Extra class operator. For now, I deal
with the restrictions and get on the air from there - and enjoy being on the
receiving end of the occasional pileup.
Need a QSL from XE2/WD9EWK?
If you wish to send a QSL for XE2/WD9EWK, those should go
via WD9EWK through the QSL bureau or direct
to:
Patrick STODDARD
P.O. Box 1934
Scottsdale AZ 85252-1934
U.S.A.
XE2/WD9EWK Log Search
I also have a page with my online XE2/WD9EWK log
for all my trips since I started using ham radio from Mexico in May 2000.
It contains the date, callsign, band, and mode for each contact I have made
from there.
Until my next trip south, 73!
WD9EWK/VA7EWK - Ham Radio - QSL VIA WD9EWK