Manager


Manager - NA4M
Manager Notes

Reviews For: VP9 DX Apartment

Category: DXpedition & ham radio vacation rentals

eMail Subscription

Registered users are allowed to subscribe to specific review topics and receive eMail notifications when new reviews are posted.
Review Summary For : VP9 DX Apartment
Reviews: 16MSRP:
Description:
Rental Apartments available for DX operation overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.
Product is in production
More Info: http://vp9ge.com/
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00165
VJP Rating: 2008-02-25
great place at affordable prices Time Owned: N.A.
It is not so easy to find comfortable and affordable accomodation in Bermuda. What a pleasant surprise to learn about Ed Kelly and his Tarrafal Apts. in Hamilton Parish. Tarrafal is located in a garden setting not far from the airport, right in front of the property there is a bus stop for downtown Hamilton. You will really enjoy meeting Ed Kelly who personally will look after you and make your stay a memorable one.
AA1AC Rating: 2008-01-12
VP9 =Terrific! Time Owned: N.A.
I have had the good fortune of operating as AA1AC/VP9 from the property of Ed Kelly,VP9GE, almost 10 times over the years. Ed provides 5-star hospitality and support throughout your stay.

Ed's qth is minutes from the airport and his fine station and equipment have allowed me to make over 20,000 qso's as VP9. Ed is a terrific host and operating from his qth is one of the highlights of my ham career.

I could not more highly recommend the qth of VP9GE as a DX getaway
K4AVC Rating: 2008-01-04
A great holiday Time Owned: N.A.
After working my last dxcc entity in the spring of 2007, I started to wonder what it would be like to be on the other end of the pileups.
Being very active on 60 meters since it opened July 2003, someone mentioned that I might proposition the Department of Telecommuications in Hamilton, Bermuda to use the 60 meter band.
With Ed's help and E-mails for my temporary license,I also got permission to try the 60 meter band in October 2007. I was in a state of euphoria for days since no one else had yet to get permission to operate from Bermuda using 60 meters. Ed also got permission at the same time and I did not find out until I came home. A fine gentleman indeed to let me go first. I made 71 contacts and during the day my xyl painted some lovely scenes all over the Island and we toured most of the tourist stops but had enough time to just "hang out" around ST.Georges. We even bumped into Michael Douglas and his lovely wife when we shared our umbrella over lunch. Recommend it highly for a reasonably priced ham or otherwise stay in Bermuda. Ed Kelly, Vp9GE, epitomizes the traditional highest form of "Southern Hospitality" Gary, K4AVC
W1IVB Rating: 2007-12-31
Great hamming and a vacation also Time Owned: more than 12 months.
My wife, Ina, who is not a Ham, and I have rented an apartment at VP9GE's QTH twice. Ed is most friendly and accommodating. Upon arrival and pickup from the airport Ed stopped at a grocery store so we could buy some provisions and also made a stop where we could pick up a bus and ferry pass.

The unit we rented has air conditioning, heat and a TV available. There is also telephone and internet service. A fully equipped kitchen and bath as well as a seperate room for sleeping and a sleeper couch are also available. The unit is spotlessely clean. Bus service is very adequate, convenient, always on schedule and services all parts of the island. The ferry service is a lot of fun and also convenient and reliable.

The hamming is world class. I used Ed's Yaesu FT-920, an excellent all band transceiver. His antennas that I have used are excellent. They include: a G5RV, a 160 Meter Inverted L, a Cushcraft A-4S four element beam with a rotor and a 40 M dipole. He also has 6 and 2 meter yagis.

If your traveling companion is not into hamming there are many interesting attractions and island shopping available along the bus and ferry routes.

We are looking forward to our next "Gentlleman's DXpedition" to Ed's QTH in Bermuda.
W6PH Rating: 2007-12-30
Great spot Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have been operating in contests from VP9GE since year 2000. Ed Kelly has taken very good care of me as he does for everyone who stays there. I usually arrive a few days before the contest and go to the grocery store to stock up for the contest before arriving at the apartments.
I put up a vertical on the grass in front of the apartments and Ed and I check out the other available antennas, an A4S on a 30 foot tower, a 40 meter dipole that kicks ***, a 230 foot G5RV, and an inverted L for 160m (50 ft vertical and 80 feet horizontal with a couple radials). I usually bring my own rig and computer but Ed has several rigs available. The apartments are very comfortable and clean. The kitchens have everything you need to make your meals. As Kyle has said, Bermuda is easy to get to and there are no problems with customs if you have your operating permit with you. (The power limit is 150 watts input.) Ed takes care of getting the permit for you before you arrive. Ed is a sixth generation Bermudian and is full of historical knowledge of Bermuda. He is also a walking encyclopedia which you will discover when you chat with this humble gentleman. Also a great sense of humour (spelled that way on purpose.) After your stay here, you will have a friend for life. The atmosphere is very relaxed and you will not feel like you are in some resort hotel. For contesting, it is possible to place in the top five worldwide. VP9 propagation is very similar to the mid-Atlantic US not the Caribbean. Nonetheless, you will have a lot of fun. Be advised that you will receive a lot of QSLs to answer. Google "VP9GE" for info.
Kurt, VP9/W6PH
K3TRM Rating: 2007-12-30
Fantastic! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
In 2005 I decided I was long overdue for a vacation (or 11 years overdue for a honeymoon, according to my XYL). I also knew that I wanted to try being on the other side of the pile-ups for a change as well. At the time I knew of Ed and his QTH by reputation and after doing a little research on Bermuda decided it would be a perfect place to go.

Ed's apartments are conveniently located five minutes south of the airport. They come with many of the comforts of home, including full kitchen, TV, Internet, etc. For hams, Ed also provides a nice assortment of antennas and equipment for you to use, or you can bring along your own.

Since our first visit, my wife and I have returned two more times..the last time with our daughters, because we were so excited about showing Bermuda to them. Despite its size, there's a lot to do in Bermuda, whether you are into sightseeing, watersports, or just taking it easy. It's a very beautiful island surrounded by clean beaches and aqua blue surf. Bermuda is also a very safe place with some of the friendliest people you are likely to ever meet!

It has been a pleasure becoming friends with Ed over the past few years. He does everything possible to ensure that you have a good time during your stay. He is a very gracious host and you will be challenged to ask him a question about Bermuda that he doesn't know the answer to!

Whether you are looking for a nice vacation, or a great DX / contesting location, I highly recommend staying with Ed. You can't help but enjoy yourself there!