Tiny house - Shipping Container Office and Commerce building

Shipping Container tiny Office Building

Roseau, Dominica the "Nature Island of the Caribbean"
1-27-2020

Click on photo to enlarge

Gaynell Larsen ham radio
operator J79WWW
with good coffee.

During our "Ham Radio Mission" to Dominica we visited a very interesting application of using Shipping Containers to make a small commercial building  in the capital Roseau. The design and construction was really excellent. It looked a little out of place along the old buildings on main street. It has a great little coffee shop in one corner. The coffee was good and the price very reasonable.

The  coffee shop is tucked into about 1/3 of a 20 foot container at ground level. The building is constructed from 3 containers.

The interior of the small coffee
shop in the right side of  lower
side of shipping container

Coffee shop menu

The interior of the shop is small but well equipped.  The shop also is a wine shop so you have lots of choices.

The menu is in Caribbean $.  About  40 cents in US currency. You can get in town delivery for about 80 cents US.

Small office and retail space building
made from 3 Shipping Containers
in Roseau, Dominica.

You can see here a clever idea - the top container extends over the coffee shop and provides the roof area. A small garden and seating area is built in front of the coffee shop.

The other sections of the are small rental office spaces and a small conference room. It looked like about 6  offices were available and all done very nicely with A/C.  You do not need heat on this beautiful Caribbean Island.

Small office and retail space building
made from 3 Shipping Containers
in Roseau, Dominica.

Looking back at the coffee shop where you can see the top container being used as roof for front of the shop.

The railing you see over the container is where a small outdoor seating area was made with a roof overhead to be used by the tenants and their guests.

Small office and retail space building
made from 3 Shipping Containers
in Roseau, Dominica.

The deck and seating area described with the photo above.  It is nice with room for a dozen or so people. This  also provides the access for the 3 offices on this level.

Small office and retail space building
made from 3 Shipping Containers
in Roseau, Dominica.

Looking off the back side of the deck we can see the other offices in level one and two.

Small office and retail space building
made from 3 Shipping Containers
in Roseau, Dominica.

I could not actually get in the offices but took this photo through the window of the door  and you can see it is very attractive.

One of the main streets in
downtown Roseau ,
Dominica - The Container
building is just to the RT of
this photo.

The whole country of Dominica is small 15x30 miles in size with a population of about 65,000.  The capital Roseau has 15,000 people.

Look carefully and you will see a typical Dominica tiny house just over the roof of the while auto. The streets are very narrow and with autos parked on both sides there is barely room for one car to drive down the street. Look closely and you will see the ocean at the end of the street.

The island is still recovering from hurricane Maria in 2017.

We have visited the island 32 times in the past 23 years.  Our purpose has been to help with Disaster preparedness communications.
See Blog "CLICK"


Video of Downtown Roseau "CLICK"

Cobblestone  walkway
in place for  hundreds
of years in Dominica.

The island is a mix of old and new buildings. The island historically over the past 300 or so years was dominated back and forth by the French and  British.  Most recently it was a a British Colony and the dominate language is English.

In this photo you can see some of the cobblestone sidewalk that has been in place for hundreds of years.

Port Roseau in Dominica.

Dominica is the nature island of the Caribbean and has many beautiful water falls, hiking trails, hot sulfur spring bath pools & great Caribbean food - my favorite food!

You can see in the photo a cruse ship in port at Roseau. The ships  make a 9 hour day stop, however, they are an important source of income for the island folks.

David Larsen
 Blog Author

"by David Larsen"  Chantilly Farm owner, Computer Historian, and amateur radio operator -KK4WW   & N4USA .  I work out of one of the Tiny Homes at Chantilly Farm. A great place to work if you like the to be out in nature. I am 81 and ready to sell Chantilly Farm - I have a few more  projects I would like to do - if you have an interest to know more give me a call. 540 392 2392

Amateur Radio - Volunteer to help Hurricane Ham Radio recovery - Dominica

Amateur Radio in Dominica - Volunteer
provides valuable emergency Communications

There remains a lot of work to be done to 
be ready for the next emergency 

You can help with Recovery and enjoy a visit to the 

Nature Island of the Caribbean - Dominica

The amateur radio operators in Dominica provided critical Emergency Communications after Hurricane Maria destroyed much of the Island in 2017. That seems a long time ago, however, a lot of work is still needed to be ready for the next  major disaster.  The members of the "Dominica Amateur Radio Club Inc" (DARCI) have been working hard to have all the interested amateur radio operators ready.  They have been helping with repairing the club station, radios, antennas, training new hams, and partnering with local & official groups to build a network of ready hams and equipment. 

Click on photo to enlarge

Dominica Amateur
Radio Club site.

David "KK4WW/J79WW" and Gaynell "KK4WWW/J79WWW" visited Dominica in late January 2020 as Directors of the "Foundation for Amateur  International Radio Service" (FAIRS) and worked with DARCI. We provided service and equipment for the Club.  See short report on the visit  "CLICK"

See location on Google Maps "Click DARCI"

DARCinc FACEBOOK 

Joseph J73JT in
Castle Bruce - Dominica

The Hurricane Maria was a category 5 storm - an extreme storm - reportedly more severe than the very intense hurricane "David" in 1979. Many ham radio operators that were able provided emergency communications.

A photo of Joseph J73JT and his HF/VHF/UHF station in the East Coast Village of Castle Bruce. Joseph was ready when Maria damaged the island. Power/water/internet and telephones were out of commissions for a number of months. Joseph packed up his station along with solar power and made his way to the village medical clinic. He was the only source of critical communication for a number of months from his village.

I mention Joseph because he was the first one who invited FAIRS to visit and help the Dominica Hams 23 years ago.  We have made more than 30 visits during this time.  J73JT  has kept his station operational and ready for emergencies the past 23 years and had many opportunities to provide emergency communications. 

Some ham news from Dominica 
Blog post about visit before Hurricane Maria

                     What would you be able to do during a week or two visit?

1. First of all, you will be visiting the Nature Island of the Caribbean - it is beautiful and interesting, with friendly people. The island is very small - 375 sq miles - loaded with water falls, rivers, rain forest, hiking trails, tall mountains, hot sulfur springs and it is known as a good dive location and a  population of about 65,000. In other words - an interesting and nice place to visit and practice your ham radio skills.

2. Provide training to new hams,  install/repair antennas, install/repair HF, VHF/VHF radios, 

3. Perhaps you would be able to provide some radio equipment, an HT, HF, Power Supply or Antenna. This would not be required, but just a nice thing to do.  It is possible to carry some equipment with you on the plane. 

4. Provide ham fellowship with ham radio operators. It is always interesting and rewarding to make new ham friends.

5.  Do some interesting DXing - Dominica does not have many ham operators that operate in the HF DX bands and you would easily find yourself in in an exciting pileup.  You can get your Dominica license before you arrive. See Gaynell having fun operating a DX pileup as J79WWW/J79USA.

6. Contact the Dominica National Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (NTRC) about obtaining a license.  NTRC Facebook 

 Get current direct Dominica Information

 by checking into one of these morning nets. 

Logo for Echo Link

Dominica Repeater via ECHO LINK. (J73Z-R)

The morning net is operational Monday - Friday 7:30 AM EST or 11:30 GMT.

 Here is how to check in - get signed up for Echo Link .

1. Sign into Echo Link.

2. Click on Locations

3. Click on North America

4. Click on Dominica

5. Sign into J73Z-R

6. You should be logged in now.  Clement J73CPL is President.

QR code  for FAIRS Ltd
Zello channel

ZELLO

You do not need to be a licensed amateur to use Zello as it is only an internet VOIP talkie application. 

Net starts at EST net will be at 7:30AM or 1200GMP

1. I run this net and my ID or Zello name is #N4USA

2. Sign into Zello 

3. Search for channel   "FAIRS Ltd"  sign in.

4. Should be ready to go.

    I always have Dominica hams checking in.

5. Alternate - print out QR code to the left and use that to log on.  

Plan a trip to Dominica and enjoy some useful/interesting amateur radio Volunteer work. Contact me and I can help David KK4WW/N4USA

David LarsenKK4WW

"by David Larsen"  Chantilly Farm owner, Computer Historian, and amateur radio operator -KK4WW   & N4USA .  I work out of one of the Tiny Homes at Chantilly Farm. A great place to work if you like the to be out in nature. I am 81 and ready to sell Chantilly Farm - I have a few more  projects I would like to do - if you have an interest to know more give me a call. 540 392 2392

Medical and School assistance in Dominica by FAIRS N4USA

Bugbooks

The days are going by very fast and each one is a busy one with projects. Here is some of the past two days..

Assisting with Medical Supplies
The Foundation for Amateur International Radio Service (FAIRS) has bring medical supplies to the clinics in Dominica for years. The main hospital has also been on our list and many times we help furnish surgical and other supplies .

Their is always a shortage of supplies and even simple things like Tylenol, Aspirin are always in short supply.  Things list blood sugar  testing devices and the test strip that goes with them are needed. We generally bring sutures for the hospitals. These are expensive and always needed.

We are always glad to have help from folks that can furnish some supplies.  FAIRS is a 501-c-3 so we can generally accept item and issue a tax deduction.

On this trip we has some of all the above and lots of other small items.

     David gives a few thoughts about Dominica visit.

                                                Video of donation for  Dr. Fedipe

Assisting with School supplies

Fairs has been coming to Dominica for almost 20 years and we live with our friends, Hetty and Clement Pierre Louis in Wotten Waven while we're here.  For many years, Dave and Gaynell Larsen have been working with the students at the Wotten Waven Primary School.  

A few years ago we were able to move a library of books we had in the little village of Castle Bruce here to Wotten Waven for the children.  They only had 10 books here for the children to use and read and now we have hundreds of books!! 

Every year we try to do a project to improve the school and make learning for enjoyable for the children.  This year we brought "Flash Cards" and wipe-off books the small children can use over and over to learn how to write numbers and letters.

Over the past few years, we've been able to pressure wash the school and surrounding building and and purchase paint and the girl from the US Peace Corp painted the murals on the school and buildings.  It made such a difference in the appearance of the school and brightened up the learning facilities.  

Over the years when FAIRS is here in the village, we take individual pictures of each cf the children - I have them printed out when we get home and send them back for the teacher to pass out.  For some of the children, these are the only pictures they have.

                                     School Supplies for Wotten Waven Dominica video 

If you would like to help FAIRS with projects or school supplies for the school here in Wotten Waven, any help would be greatly appreciated.  

A few more of the days activities 

Silver Lake Popcorn and movie

A popcorn and movies party at Silver Lake with the children. Working with "Love One teach One" here.  This was a real treat for these kids.

Whale watching in \Dominica

Gaynell and Dustin went whale watching a there were at lease 11 whales.

Meeting with Marketing folks at Bello

David and Clement met with the marketing director and accountant at the Bello factory in Dominica. Bello makes product from fruits and vegetables here in Domonica.  They are best known for the Hot Sauces.

Today we will visit the kalinago indian village dominica and work with some  children. Will show a movie and have some items for the kids. This is more work with the local group "Love One Teach One"

   ^{"by David Larsen"  KK4WW Computer Collector Historian}     Send Message    Like us on Facebook  My Blog about hometown Floyd VA

Computer For Bioche, Dominica - Donation by N4USA , FAIRS

Click photos to enlarge

Dominica Flag

Bugbooks

Today (2/23/14) we donated a new Apple iPad computer  to the Dominica community of Bioche to help raise funds for repairs at the fishing village and start up of sustainable agricultural projects.  Bioche is a small fishing village of about 200 on the North West coast of Dominica. I am normally discussing vintage computers here on the blog but this project is part of a mission visit representing "The Foundation Amateur Radio International Service"  (FAIRS).   My wife Gaynell and I represent FAIRS as directors and have made many visits to Dominica and other countries during the past 22 years.

Apple iPad

My amateur radio friend in Dominica - Clement Pierre Louis J73CPL- called and told us about the new project in his home village of Bioche to work toward self sustainability by the community. Clement ask if our foundation could help as sponsors   a donation. The idea of the Apple iPad donation is to raffle it and use the funds for the project.  They expect to get many more sponsors during the next few months before ending in July. In July they will have a big gathering with members of the community living there now and those who will return for a visit and provide project assistance.

The village has no funds for these projects and are moving ahead by raising funds and assistance on their own  to develop sustainable agricultural of raising chickens and  pigs. Most of the meat is imported and it only seems natural to grow your own & sell to the public.

It seems very reasonable that chickens and pigs could be raised here -- many individuals already grow these animals for family consumption. I learned that some processing facilities are already in place. The government has facility for butchering pigs and other animals. Also near bioche is a new fish processing coop that was built in 2011 by  grant from Japan.  I visited the coop  today and it is real nice and could possibly be used for chicken processing - freezing and marketing. The prospects look good for a successful project if the folks come forward with determination and persistence.
Video of presentation at bottom of blog.

Click photos to enlarge

Bioche Dominica 

The welcome sign for the reuniting family and friends for support of the Bioche sustainable agriculture projects.

                                     

Bioche Fishing Village Dominica 

A view to the North from Bioche boat landing.

Bioche Fishing Village Dominica 

A view to the South from Bioche boat landing.

Bioche committee members Dominica

Committer members LR Gaynell Larsen KK4WWW/J79WWW & FAIRS Director, David Larsen KK4WW/J79WW & FAIRS Director, Mr. Ambrose Hilton Chairman, Honorable Parliamentary Representive Ronald Toulon, Clement Pierre Louis J73CPL. Presentation of iPad to Ambrose.

Gratitude Fish for FAIRS members

Leone Adams presented a wonderful fish to David and Gaynell  as a show of gratitude.

The meal from fish for FAIRS

Hetty Pierre Louis prepared part of the fish for dinner the next night. It was really good and everyone enjoyed eating the gratitude fish.

 Clement Pierre Louis and David Larsen made iPad donation

You could help with this project with a donation or maybe visit Bioche and share your farm expertise. Dominica is a beautiful nature island - and small 30 by 15 miles.  Nice and warm all  year long.

Take a look - here is a video I made on our first day visit to the Capital Roseau "VIEW CLICK"

David G Larsen

We have a number of other mission projects to help with while here in Dominica. Tomorrow we deliver medical supplies to several doctors and clinic's.  On Thursday we have visit to the Dominica's indigenous people - properly known as the Kalinago - village to work with the youth.  Friday we plan to have lunch with the US State Department Peace Core workers. Their are 16 Peace Core folks here on the Island.

^{"by David Larsen"  KK4WW Computer Collector Historian}   

  Send Message    Like us on Facebook  My Blog about hometown Floyd VA

Amateur Radio Friends from Dominica Visit Floyd Virginia

Dominica Flag

It is a pleasure for my wife Gaynell and I to have Dominica friends visit our home in Floyd Virginia for 2 weeks. Gaynell and I have known Clement and Hetty Pierre Lewis for nearly 18 years. We stay in there home during our visit's (about 20 visit's during the last 18 years) to the  Island of Dominica in the Eastern Caribbean. The main purpose of our visiting is to assist the Island amateur radio operators establish & maintain a good emergency disaster radio communication system.  Our volunteer radio effort is with "The Foundation for Amateur International Radio Service" (FAIRS) located in Floyd Virginia. We feel at home when we visit Dominica and  leave our clothes and other items in the Pierre Lewis home from visit to visit. Clement and Hetty have a nice amateur radio station and we do a lot of ham radio DX operating  while on the Island. I could say a lot of great features about Dominica however to keep it short -- the Island is a beautiful natural  tropical Island.  It is small 15 x 30 miles and a population of about 75,000 folks.  Great place for you to visit if you like a real nature Island. Clement & Hetty do have a guest cottage they rent to Island visitors. Here is video of Hetty's cottage.

Dee KG4VMI interviews Hetty & Clement about Amateur Radio in Dominica - Video

LR Clement & Hetty Pierre Lewis,
David Larsen in
Bugbook Historical Computer Museum
Floyd Virginia

LR Hetty Pierre Lewis , Gaynell & David Larsen
Gaynell operating amateur radio DX from
Dominica as J79WWW video

LR Gaynell Larsen, Clement & Hetty Pierre Lewis
on the deck of our Chantilly Festival Farm Office





Clement Pierre Lewis amateur radio J73CPL operating
ham radio station N4USA at the Chantilly Farm Office
Floyd County Virginia.
Here is Clement in his tropical Garden Dominica Video


Gaynell KK4WWW tells about our visits to Dominica with Clement & Hetty- Video

^{"By David Larsen" KK4WW Computer Collector Historian}  

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