Eyeball QSO with Egon KF4DX in Kuala Lumpur

On 22nd September 2024, I had the privilege of hosting Egon, KF4DX, from Florida, USA, during his visit to Kuala Lumpur. Egon, one of the renowned operators of the PJ2T contest station based on Curaçao Island, brought with him stories of international contests, DXing, and his passion for ham radio.

The highlight of the meet-up was the “eyeball QSO” with fellow Malaysian hams Martin (9M2FRI), Ikmal (9M2EDU), and myself, Piju (9M2PJU). For those unfamiliar with the term, an “eyeball QSO” refers to when radio operators meet face-to-face after having made contact on the air. While our voices have traveled thousands of miles through the ether, this was a special moment to connect in person, share experiences, and discuss our love for the hobby.

Egon’s Journey and PJ2T Station

Egon’s visit to Malaysia was not only about sightseeing; he wanted to connect with the local ham community. As an operator at the PJ2T contest station, he shared his experiences operating from the Caribbean, especially during major contests. PJ2T, located on the beautiful island of Curaçao, is known for its top-tier contest performance, and Egon gave us insights into the setup, challenges, and thrill of contesting from such a prestigious station.

He shared stories of the camaraderie among the team members, the technical aspects of maintaining a high-performance station, and the strategies they use to remain competitive in international contests. Hearing about his adventures, operating in different time zones and propagation conditions, was truly inspiring.

Sharing Local Ham Culture

In return, we shared our experiences operating from Malaysia, discussing the challenges and joys of operating from Southeast Asia. Propagation differences, local ham culture, and our passion for promoting amateur radio were topics of interest. Martin (9M2FRI) and Ikmal (9M2EDU) contributed their experiences, making the gathering a lively exchange of ideas.

Our conversation also touched on the technical aspects of setting up stations, antennas, and the ever-evolving nature of technology in ham radio. Egon was particularly interested in learning how we deal with local interference issues and what bands and modes are most popular in Malaysia.

A Day to Remember

The eyeball QSO was more than just a meet-and-greet; it was a celebration of the international ham spirit. Amateur radio is about connecting people across borders, sharing knowledge, and building friendships, and that’s exactly what this gathering accomplished.

As we concluded the event, we took some group photos to capture the moment. These pictures, which I will share in the post, are a reminder of the bonds we forge over the airwaves and in person.

Looking Ahead

We look forward to many more eyeball QSOs in the future and hope to see Egon again, either back in Malaysia or on the airwaves during a contest. It was an unforgettable experience, and we are grateful for the opportunity to connect with such an accomplished operator.

Until the next QSO, 73!

Piju 9M2PJU