PJ7AA – Saint Martin Island

Tom, AA9A will be active again as PJ7AA from Sint Maarten (IOTA NA – 105) from 9 March to 5 April 2025.
He will be active on 40 – 6m CW, FT8, FT4.
Nearest DX Point PJ7AA
PJ7AA Log Searchsearch QSL is conducted via Home Call Direct, LOTW, ClubLog OQRS.
Direct QSL advertising:
Thomas J Harke, SR, AA9A, N5200 Deer Run Trail, De Pere, WI 54115, USA.

St. Martin

Sint Maarten is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, covering the southern third of the Caribbean island of Sint Maarten. The northern two-thirds of the land make up the French-administered island of Sint Maarten.

Prior to October 10, 2010, Sint Maarten was considered an island territory and part of the Netherlands Antilles.

history:

At just 37 square miles, St. Martin is often referred to as the crossroads of the Caribbean. The island was discovered by Christopher Columbus on behalf of Spain in 1493 and was first settled by the Arawak people.

The island was named after Saint Martin because Columbus discovered it on the feast day of Saint Martin in Tours.

The abolition of slavery directly led to the economic decline of Sint Maarten, as the plantation culture disappeared. However, Sint Maarten was declared a duty-free port, which led to a thriving tourism industry. The Dutch began to receive tourists in the 1950s, and the French followed suit 20 years later. The tourism boom did not bring prosperity to other islands like it did to Sint Maarten.

As tourism grew, Princess Juliana Airport became one of the busiest in the Eastern Caribbean. During this time, business magnate and member of the Democratic Party, Claude Wathy, ruled the island for much of the period.

Tourism is not the only change that St. Maarten has experienced. The population has also changed dramatically. In the mid-1990s, the population grew rapidly from 5,000 to 60,000. The new population included immigrants from the Lesser Antilles, Curacao, Haiti and the Dominican Republic. There was also a large influx of Americans, Europeans and Asians. This wave of immigration has reduced the indigenous population to a minority. Population growth has now slowed, and in 2013 the population was 75,000.

Today, Sint Maarten is the smallest landmass shared by two sovereign nations in 1648: the Netherlands and France.

culture:

While the respective administering powers have influenced the culture, the traditions and heritage are largely the same. The native Creoles can trace their roots to Africa, France, the Netherlands, and the British Isles. If there is a reflection of cultural diversity, it is in the islands’ languages. Dutch, French, and British traders brought their languages, while the Afro-Caribbean brought the languages ​​and culture of West Africa. Dutch is the official language, though; English is taught in educational institutions and is spoken everywhere. Spanish and Papiamento (a dialect of the Netherlands Antilles) are also languages ​​spoken by the local population.

Over the next 150 years, Sint Maarten was occupied by the Netherlands, Britain, France and Spain. Many of the islands still bear traces of their turbulent past, including the stone forts that once existed.

what to do:

St. Maarten offers a wide variety of activities that can be carried out during the day and at night. There are 50 dive sites for divers of all levels to enjoy. Here you can find corals, algae and marine life. In the turquoise waters you can experience underwater adventures and admire colorful fish, shells and crustaceans, with activities tailor-made for snorkelers and divers.

There are also activities on the water. Go on a kayaking adventure to explore the many bays surrounding the island. Take a boat trip through Simpson Bay Lagoon and enjoy the scenery at a leisurely pace.

You can rent a boat at any resort. For experienced sailors, Oriental Beach is the best choice, while for beginners, Coconut Beach on the other side of the peninsula has calmer waters. If you love windsurfing, you can also try it.

On land, you can go mountain biking and off-road biking. Cycling along the volcanic peaks and nature reserves surrounding St. Maarten, you will feel time slipping away as you revel in the scenery and natural beauty.

Learn about the history of St. Maarten at the St. Maarten Museum. Here you can learn about cultural history from prehistoric times to the present day.

St. Maarten has a vibrant nightlife that goes on all night long. Compared to Miami, it has the hottest DJs and the best entertainment from around the world. The music will keep you on the dance floor all night long.

If dancing isn’t your thing, the Las Vegas-style casino is for you too. Be prepared to find the latest in video slots, three-card poker and blackjack. There’s plenty to choose from, and it’s on all night long.

For those quiet and romantic evenings, there is always the beach bar to watch the sunset. If you want to see all the beach bars, take a party bus. Mingle with locals and people from all walks of life while listening to reggae, latin and soul music.

St. Maarten is duty-free and all prices are in English. This makes shopping here another wonderful experience. The streets are lined with shops where you can buy everything from jewelry to electronics.

where to live:

Hotels and villas await you on St. Martin. There are five-star resorts and hotels on the island as well as numerous hostels for you to choose from. You can rent a villa and use it as a home away from home during your vacation.

How to get there:

St. Maarten is only 3 hours from New York and 4 hours from Miami. All major airlines have direct flights to Princess Juliana International Airport.

Visitors who have time can also take a cruise to St. Martin. The Dr. AC Whathey Pier is considered one of the top ten piers in the world. It can accommodate 4 cruise ships and has a promenade and walkways.

St. Maarten has a rich and diverse culture and history. Visiting this island, you will meet people from all over the world and from all walks of life. There is so much to do here that you should plan a long stay vacation.

PJ7AA. Where is Sint Maarten? Map.