ASHLAND, MA PEBMIT NO.7 - Quarter Century Wireless Association

GTCWA 2OOg Cruise Gonvcrntion
October 24 - 31 , 2OOg
Fort Lauderdale, FL; San Juan, Puerto Rico; & St Thomas, USVI
Deta i ls at U RL: http ://wwwqcwa. org/2009.conventi o n ; pdf
ur Cruise Convention will begin in Fort Lauderdale, Florida as we
board Holland America's brand new ship the Eurodam on
Saturday, October 24, 2009. As the cabins, meeting rooms, entertainment,
food and most non-alcoholic beverages are included, there is
no need for a registration fee.
Our first full day, Sunday will be at sea, where you may operate any of the HF stations that ICOM Radio of
American and Comet Antenna will be providing for your use. We hope to have a weather balloon long wire
antenna floating above the rear of the ship - weather permitting. I do not know what contacts that will provide
us, but it should make for some very nice picture opportunities. The HF stations will be operational 24/7 if there is
a desire from our travelers. We will also offer a slate of Ham Forums for your enjoyment on this day and the
other sea day, Thursday.
With the very favorable exchange rate of the Canadian Dollar and Euro to the American Dollar at this
time; it provides, I believe, an excellent opportunity to use this convention as a family vacation. You
can enjoy the Ham aspects of the cruise while non-Ham family and friends enjoy all the amenities provided by
Holland America. Your non-Ham traveling companions will hardly notice you slipping away to operate Caribbean
Maritime Mobile and be the pile up, instead of trying to bust into it.
On Monday we'll enjoy a relaxing 8-hour visit to Grant Turk for a little Scuba Diving, Horseback Beach Riding,
Swimming, Dune Buggy Safari, or float dreamily over vibrant coral reefs.
Tuesday will put us in San Juan, PR from 10 AM to 1 1 PM to visit the old forts, El Yunque Rain Forest, Old San
Juan Historical Walking Tour and see the Arecibo Observatory - the world largest Radio Telescope. The
Observatory is normally closed on Tuesday, however if there is interest from our group, I can make special
arrangements to have the facility opened for a private tour and take care of the transportation. lt is a trip worth
taking if you can.
Wednesday has us in St Thomas, from 8 AM to 5 PM, a most wonderful place to shop - duty free seven-weeks
before Christmas. Swim, snorkel and feed the fish in the crystal-clear Caribbean water and shop until you drop.
St Thomas is the place for that.
For clarification on any of the above information and greater details on the cruise itself - Cabin selection, Air
Transportation, travel insurance, and radio gear to bring along, please contact me by email at: wa9jmo@wi.net;
bytelephoneat262-639-7327, and/or U.S. Postal regular mail to: Larry McCalvy, WA9JMO,5400 Six Mile Road,
Racine, Wl 53402-9741.
lf you have not been on a cruise before, an adventure of a lifetime awaits you; if you are a cruiser, you know
what I mean.
28 QCWAJournal . Summer 2OO9. www,qcwa,org