As Cabo Verde proudly celebrates its 50th anniversary of independence on July 5, 2025, the Monteverde Contest Team D4C and Paolo D44PM are excited to commemorate this historic occasion with a special ham radio event!

To mark this milestone, the special callsign D450ICV will be on the air, operating across all bands and modes, primarily focusing on HF. This unique activation will run until December 31, 2025, offering amateur radio enthusiasts worldwide the opportunity to make contact and celebrate together.

Activity Details:

• Special Callsign: D450ICV
• Operators: Monteverde Contest Team D4C & Paolo D44PM
• Bands/Modes: All bands, all modes (primarily HF)
• Active Until: December 31, 2025
• QSL Information: Confirm your QSOs via Clublog.org OQRS system

This activity is a tribute to the remarkable journey of Cabo Verde since gaining independence from Portugal in 1975. It is also a way for radio amateurs worldwide to connect and share in the joy of this significant moment in history.

Join us on the airwaves and be part of the celebration!

For updates and more information, follow the Monteverde Contest Team D4C and D44PM on social media and ham radio forums.

73 & Good DX!

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What We Offer:

Specialized RF & Contesting Equipment – Proven in real-world competition settings.
Custom Electronics & Self-Designed Gear – Unique solutions crafted by our expert team.
D4C Branded Gadgets & Accessories – Show your support with exclusive D4C merchandise.

Our Expert Services:

D4Zero VPN Service – A personalized VPN setup for secure and remote connectivity.
Maestro over D4Zero VPN – Seamlessly operate your FlexRadio Maestro from anywhere.
Ham Radio Consulting – Professional advice to build, improve, and maintain your station—whether you’re a “Little Pistol” or aiming to be a “Big Gun”!

With years of expertise in contesting and cutting-edge technology, we provide practical solutions tailored to your needs.

Explore Now and take your hamradio experience to the next level!

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This year, we tackled a major project: expanding the shack with an additional room. We repurposed the outdoor terrace—because let’s face it, with 95% of the time being wind, rain, or clouds, no one was out there sipping tea anyway. The new space became the perfect home for our power amplifiers, freeing up the old amplifier room, which we turned into a “relaxation room” for operators. In theory, it’s a place for ops to rest while others take their shifts. In practice, it’s where we end up fixing things when the inevitable mid-contest Murphy strikes.

On the technical side, we’re making steady progress with upgrading amplifiers, as the humid environment takes its toll over time. We also replaced all the antenna switches at the bottom of the towers, maintaining our rotator-free station design.

A big shoutout goes to Max IZ4DPV, who achieved a personal milestone by visiting the island five times this year!

The first group of operators—Louis DK4EE, Heiko DK3DM, Piotr SQ9D, and Massimo IZ4DPV—arrived at the station eight days before the contest. They immediately got to work, repairing the 15-meter tower that had collapsed a couple of weeks earlier due to vandalism. Among other things, they also had to deal with an unexpected challenge: fixing control cables that had become an unwelcome snack for local rats!

15 meter tower collapsed

The second group, consisting of Kelly N0VD, Andrea HB9DUR, Giorgio I2VXJ, and Luca IK2NCJ, joined a few days later, followed by Marco HB9CAT and Tomi HA8RT. Together, they tackled pre-contest preparations, including repairs to the 160-meter vertical damaged by a hurricane and the 80-meter four-square array, which, for some reason, wasn’t working correctly.

On Friday—the day before the contest—we faced a final hurdle: the station’s power generator stopped working completely. Securing and installing a replacement on such short notice in Cape Verde was no small feat, but the team came together to get it done just in time.

Last minute power generator replacement

Despite a hectic lead-up, the contest itself was a rewarding experience. While Saturday presented challenging propagation conditions on 20 and 15 meters, 10 meters performed well throughout. The low bands, however, were below expectations, with 160 meters being particularly poor. A technical issue with the 15-meter amplifier did cause some distraction, but we ensured it didn’t hold us back for long.

Kelly N0VD

Louis DK4EE

This year’s result didn’t quite match the effort we put into preparation, but it provided valuable lessons and has made us even more eager for 2025! A big thanks to Marc D44FF for his excellent technical support and for keeping the team well-fed, and to Magic Mike DM5XX for his outstanding remote support.

Congratulations to CN3A on their stellar score!

2024 CQWW SSB D4C team

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Recently, we completed two significant projects aimed at enhancing the remote contesting experience for the ham radio community. The first initiative successfully integrates a hardware DJ console, Hercules DJControl Starlight (USB), to function as a control device for FlexRadio SmartSDR. Our second project introduces a VPN solution, dubbed D4Zero, designed not only to facilitate independence from SmartSDR but also to ensure connectivity with other essential devices (such as antenna switches) and to make network UDP packets routable. These advancements are poised to provide greater control and flexibility in remote contesting environments.

Hercules DJControl Starlight (USB) SmartSDR Controller

We identified a need for a cost-effective and highly customizable control solution for FlexRadio SmartSDR users. The Hercules DJControl Starlight (USB) console emerged as the perfect candidate, offering affordability and the flexibility needed for our unique requirements. However, the existing integration with SmartSDR was not fully aligned with our needs, leading us to develop a bespoke solution.

Solution Highlights:

• Affordable and Flexible: The Hercules DJControl Starlight provides a budget-friendly alternative to more expensive control units, without sacrificing functionality or versatility.
• Tailored Customization: Our developed solution enables deep customization, allowing users to adapt the controller to fit the intricate needs of their operation.
• Enhanced User Experience: By tailoring our integration, we’ve significantly improved the user interface, offering a more intuitive and efficient way to manage radio systems.

How to Get Started:

For detailed guidance on integrating FlexRadio SmartSDR with the Hercules DJControl Starlight (USB) console and enhancing your remote contesting setup, visit our GitHub repository at FlexController on GitHub. Our integrated control solution is poised to transform your contesting experience.

D4Zero VPN Service: Optimizing Remote Contesting Connectivity

Our D4Zero VPN service caters to the essential networking requirements of remote contesting, ensuring independence from SmartSDR while providing access to devices like antenna switches and enabling the routing of network UDP packets. This solution streamlines network management and boosts security and efficiency for remote contest operations.

Benefits of D4Zero for Contesting:

• Robust Security: Offers enhanced protection for sensitive contest data against cyber threats.
• Ease of Network Management: Simplifies the complexities associated with traditional VPN setups, enabling a focus on contesting.
• Device Compatibility: Guarantees seamless communication among various devices, essential for an effective remote contesting setup.
• Accessible Network UDP Broadcasts Remotely: Allows for the remote access of all network UDP broadcasts, essential for efficient operation of contest logging and support software.
• No Need for SmartLink: Provides a streamlined setup without the necessity for SmartLink.
• Secure Without Open Ports/Port Forwarding: Offers a more secure solution by eliminating the need for open ports or port forwarding.

If this solution piques your interest and you believe it could improve your contest or home station, we’re here to help you set it up remotely. Embrace a more secure and integrated approach to remote contesting today.

For more info: dm5xx a–t d4c.cc

The post Perfect VPN for remote appeared first on D4C Monteverde Contest Team.

After the Log check the team ended up with a score of 20,254,950 Points, 4871 QSO’s and 515 Multiplier, wich is the 1st place worldwide and a new all time record in the M2 category!

The post RSGB IOTA CONTEST 2022 appeared first on D4C Monteverde Contest Team.

This time the mountain was operated by three operators from HB9. The special guest this time was Philippe HB9ARF. Philippe decided to celebrate his 70th birthday, doing what he likes the most, obviousliy contesting, with his friends. His 70th birthday was falling right in the middle of the CQ WPX CW, so he organized a small team of three friends. The team consist out of Pierre HB9AMO and Pierre F6DCQ. Unfortunately F6DCQ suffered of a sudden and important health problem, forcing him to forfait. HB9CAT, an experienced contester, stepped in as his replacement, with the advantage of having already been contesting a couple of times from the Monteverde mountain.

The team diceded to run a simple setup in the contest and to enter the Multi/Single category. The transceiver was a Elecraft K3 (with a second audio, to support the main operator) + a 1kW power amplifire + all antennas on site.

In 48h the team managed to work 4760 QSO’s and a score of 21,457,435 points.

Thanks to all who made this successful operation possible! Special thanks to Mark D44FF, who supported the team before, during and after the contest on site. Thanks to Luca IK2NCJ for his first class support and assistance!

The post CQWW WPX CW 2022 appeared first on D4C Monteverde Contest Team.

In the two years without any contest activity on the site, a lot of changes have taken place. We changed several antennas, switches and amplifiers, but finally we are back!

Piotr SQ9D and Max IZ4DPV traveled to the Monteverde to be active in the CQWW SSB 2021. When they are arrived they had a lot work to do! Like maintaining and setting up the station for the contest. Due to the covid pandemie we decided not to do M/M effort. This time we did 3x SOSB HP entrys.

So we had Max IZ4DPV on 10m as D4F, he did really well! He made 5046 QSO’s and around 2.5 million points claimed!

Piotr SQ9D was as D4Z on 15m, he made a great score out of 5252QSO’s and 2,6 million points claimed.

As special guest Luca IK2NCJ joined us via the internet. He was D4L on 20m and made around 4100 QSO’s and 2.1 million points. He was really limited in the operating, because of the remote connection. On Sunday morning he lost the internet connection for some hours, but anyway he did a big score too!

After the contest we can say again: “We are really happy to work with the great Flexradio’s and the outstanding performing Momobeam Antennas!”

Big thanks for all who made those activations possible! Special thanks to Navi, for his big help to setup all the new antennas! Also so a big thanks to our chief technician Mark EA8FF, who fixes everything with a lot of knowledge in the past years.

Thanks to our guest LB1LF, he did exellent work for us before the contest and stayed with us durig the contest.

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D4C booth is number A1-399 which is located again in a strategic Contest Corner close to RRDXA, DARC Contest Referat + IARU against the wall far away form the main entrance:

We will be together at the boot with:

vesseltracker.com guys David, Caroline and Joe with their outstanding AIS stuff.

• 
• BeLoud Ham Radio with Steve Narducci W9SN and their Next Generation Amateur Radio – Remote using Flexradio transceivers

Looking forward to meeting with you.

-> More details and updates to come in the next days!

#YoucallWeanswer  with   and  

The post HAMRADIO Germany 2019 / Stand A1-399 appeared first on D4C Monteverde Contest Team.

Hello! My name is Kristers Misa (YL3JA,ES7GR, ex YL3AJA) , I’m 21 years old. I’m from Latvia, Tukums. Now studying in Riga Technical University, telecommunication faculty. In ham radio I am since 2010, and it started in local schools club station YL1XN, station chief is Karl Kravalis YL2HB.

Since I was a little kid, my dream was to operate and to be part of the team in D4C. All the time when I wanted to get there it was too expensive for me, but then Monteverde Contest Team came up with great announcement, that they are opening doors for youngsters. Two youngsters they offered a lot of goods and discounts for accommodation. I was very happy and glad that they did choose me to be one of the team mates.

My trip to Cape Verde, Sao Vicente started at Riga international airport. First flight was to Warsaw where I had to wait 2 hours for the next flight to Amsterdam. When I landed at Amsterdam I had 12 hour layover for my final flight to Sao Vicente, which was 7 hours long trip.

I was the first one from all team to land in Sao Vicente, I had to wait approximately one 1 hour till Marco (IK2LFF), Richard (W7ZR) and Ed (K1EP) landed. Then, we got to our rented car and went to hotel. Almost immediately we were off to Monteverde, the highest point in the island where the station is located. All of us was amazed to see how all of that looks in real life, not just in pictures, amazing! Marco wanted to show a little surprise, we opened 15m band with 100w! That was insane! We were very tired after long trip so we were good to go back to city. Quick rest in hotel and straight ahead to dinner.

Second day started with great breakfasts and shopping. Weather was perfect, mood was amazing. After shopping we visited D44AC Carlos to pick up some equipment and we were ready to go back up to Monteverde. We started then to setup up the station with equipment which we had at that moment and of course opened 15m band again. Marco made lunch for everyone, nice Carbonara. After that we did some little antenna works outside and Marco made 20m running. That was amazing, no words can describe a pile up which we had. Everyone had a little taste of that and was more than happy. Ed and our local guy Navi was working on beverages for 160m all day long, great effort. Again after all those works, we had great dinner back in town.

Next day started with great breakfasts again and my first swim in Atlantic ocean! That was great! Thank you for this opportunity. After that again we were up in Monteverde to do some works and to wait for the rest of the team Helmut (DF7EE), Andrea (HB9DUR) and Ljuba (YU5EEA). They had some equipment for the contest so now all of that was in one place and we were ready to setup all positions and test them.

It was Thursday already. One part of the team was working inside the shack with all equipment there, and other part of the team was working outside with antennas. Beverages and inverted Vs. Weather was fantastic again, no wind, no clouds, only sun and warm air. We took some great pictures with our sponsor flags from YOTA (Youngsters On The Air) and FlexRadio. Everything seems to be working , but we didn’t know anything about 40-160m, because we have not been into the station during night hours. So after dinner me, Ljuba and Andrea were going back to the station to test low bands. We did some great operation on all three bands, everything was working so we were off to hotel.

Friday is here! Contest starts today! I was so excited. So after breakfast back to station to check everything, see if there would have been some little things to do. After everything was checked, we went down to have our last lunch together before contest. We discussed all the schedule and operator changing time, bands etc. After the lunch we were back in hotel to have a little rest. Me and Marco went to beach again, catch a little swim in ocean, that was exactly what I needed. After that a little nap and evening was here. Back to the station and we were good to go.

Station was working great without any problems and operators was keeping up a good rate. Everyone enjoyed their operation time and got the best out of it. This was first time when I operated out of Europe and in the station, where are zero rotators. Propagation was completely different, it was amazing. From a place as great as D4C is, you can open dead bands as 10m and 15m are nowadays, we had some great runs on both of these bands. 15m and 20m was incredible, with all this fast antenna switching equipment and no rotators, operator can follow propagation and split pile up in two sides, for example EU and NA, which is very useful to get out the missing mults. Also to check SA or AF directions it takes just a couple of seconds, it is almost impossible to miss callers all around world when in couple of seconds you can listen in all directions or in two directions at the same time. I found this very useful and easy for operators. From propagation side I was interested how does low bands sound here and how to operate there.  It was very interesting and pretty hard at the same time, because all other stations or located pretty far away, but D4C crew have done a great job. Those dipoles for 40 and 80m are working great. 160m Vertical is for 100% best option in this kind of location, it works great! I was happy to see and listen how other operators are working, that was a great experience. I loved to see a guy like Richard (W7ZR) operating from a place like this, he is the most experienced operator I have ever seen. Also, to listen how Andrea (HB9DUR) and Marco (IK2LFF), who have the biggest experience operating from D4C, have been dealing with pile ups and propagation changes. When the contest was coming to the end, there were different emotions, from one hand I was very happy that this event is ended and that I have achieved my dream, but from other hand I was bit sad that soon we have to leave this magical place, and say goodbye to all new friends.

After the contest we packed up all the equipment and went down again to D44AC Carlos to say goodbye. Then to hotel, pack up all of our belongings and to have last sleep in Cape Verde. Breakfasts in the morning and then I was off to my plane. I was first one to leave. Hard to say goodbye to all those new friends, but I know that I will see all of you again.

I wanted to say big thank you to all D4C crew for organizing this event and having youngsters on board. Also my thank you goes to Latvian Contest Club (LCC) and Latvian Radio Sport Federation (LRSF) for all your support. I truly appreciate sponsorship from Kelly (N0VD), you made this trip easier for us! I truly enjoyed this week in Cape Verde, looking forward to be back!

73! Kris YL3JA

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