PJ7UK Sint Maarten Island. From DXNews.com

Chris, N0UK/G4JEC will be active as PJ7UK from Sint Maarten Island, IOTA NA – 105, 28 November – 7 December 2025.
He will operate on HF Bands, including activity in CQ WW DX CW Contest.
Recent DX Spots PJ7UK

Previous activities:
Chris, N0UK/G4JEC will be active as PJ7/G4JEC from Sint Maarten Island, IOTA NA – 105, in CQ WW DX SSB Contest, 25 – 26 November 2023.

Chris, N0UK/G4JEC and Holly (YL), K0HAC will be active from Sint Maarten Island, IOTA NA-105, 27 November – 4 December 2021 as PJ7/G4JEC and PJ7/K0HAC.
They will operate on HF Bands, including CQ WW DX CW Contest, 27 – 28 November 2021.
QTH Locator – FK88lb.
QSL via N0UK direct, LOTW.
Ads for direct QSL:
CHRISTOPHER G COX, N0UK, 2836 Colfax Avenue South, Apt. E543, MINNEAPOLIS, MN 55408, USA.

St. Martin Island is a unique neighborhood of France and Holland

This small island is located in the Caribbean archipelago, washed by the turbulent Atlantic Ocean to the east and the calm Caribbean Sea to the west.

The history of the island is rather confusing: it was constantly conquered by the French, the British, the Dutch, and the Spanish. Everything ended with the fact that in 1648 France and the Netherlands signed a treaty to divide the territory of the island – since then, its northern part belongs to France, and the southern part – Holland. But there is no border as such, there is only a pillar symbolizing this border. The French call this island “St. Maarten”, the Dutch – “Sint Maarten”, it is also known as the island of St. Martin.

In order to visit the island, you need to open a French or Dutch visa – depending on whether you plan to live on the French or Dutch part of the island for a longer period of time. The documents needed to open a visa are the same as for a regular Schengen visa, only the application form has some differences.

In Sint Maarten the official language is Dutch, in St. Maarten it is French, but everyone on the island speaks English.

Sint Maarten Island. Landing over Maho Beach. Airbus A340 Air France. Author – Michel Charron.

Marigot is a miniature piece of France

Marigot is the capital of the French part of St. Maarten, a charming little town with neat Parisian-style houses. It is a little piece of France, with many restaurants and cafes, with talented street musicians.

Marigot has the ancient sea bastion of Saint Louis, which for centuries served as the island’s defense against enemy attacks.

Phillipsburg is a little Las Vegas

Phillipsburg, the capital of St. Maarten, is the center of duty free shopping. The main Front Street has 500 Duty Free stores, which offer a wide range of jewelry, technical novelties, clothing and cosmetics of the most popular brands.

In the evening the city becomes a miniature semblance of Las Vegas: chic casinos, strip bars and clubs begin their work. Prostitution is legalized here, but, unlike in Holland, drugs are prohibited.

Phillipsburg has a large port where liners with tourists dock daily.

In XVII and XIX centuries for the defense of the city built bastions Amsterdam and William. From their walls and towers you can enjoy incredibly beautiful panoramic views not only of St. Martin’s Island, but also of the nearby islands.

Sint Maarten. Orient Beach. Author – John W.

One of the most important attractions is the airport

Sint Maarten, the Dutch-owned part of the island, is home to the Princess Juliana International Airport. This airport is quite rightly considered to be very special, and many tourists come here just to see it.

Landing in this air harbor is considered one of the most difficult in the whole world. The fact is that the runway starts almost at the sea, from Maho Beach, and its length is only 2180 meters. Planes have to land literally over the heads of people relaxing on the beach.

The first extreme entertainment here is to stand over a huge KLM Boeing. The second is to stand by the fence while the plane is taking off, you just have to hold on to the fence tightly.

What is interesting about life on the island?

There are 2 carnivals held annually on St. Martin’s Island. At the very beginning of Lent, 7 days, the French Carnival takes place, during which the locals organize costume parades, various musical celebrations and dances. The Dutch celebrate the birthday of Her Majesty the Queen of the Netherlands for 17 days, with calypso competitions, street parades, and the burning of a straw monster, which is supposed to take away all the troubles and sins.

Every year in March, the well-known Heineken Caribbean Sailing Regatta starts from this island.

In November, the island of St. Martin celebrates Concordia Day, a great holiday for the entire local population. It commemorates the peaceful coexistence of the Dutch and French in the area.

Sint Maarten Island. Captain Morgan. Author – Alan Leu.

What to buy on the island of St. Martin?

Only hot sauces are produced on the island. In Marigot there is a market where you can find excellent spices, vanilla. In Philipsburg you can buy interesting homemade souvenirs, such as beads or shell boxes.

Although everything on the island is imported, but thanks to the possibility of duty-free trade there are excellent supermarkets offering various goods at reasonable prices: maple syrup from Canada, ice cream from Belgium, couscous from Brazil, beer from America, and much more.

On the French territory of St. Maarten the official currency is the euro, and on the Dutch territory the Antillean guilder, but it is more profitable to pay with dollars. They, as well as credit cards, are accepted everywhere.

How safe is the island for tourists?

As with any Caribbean island, the utmost caution should be exercised here. The locals are a poor people, with all the consequences that follow from this. But at the same time, the islanders are very positive and good-natured.

PJ7UK. Where is Sint Maarten located. Map.