PY1NX Soni Endlich Leite
Team: Brazil-Bulgaria Friendship Team – Sponsored Team (Team Leader)
Country: Brazil
Age: 27
Occupation: Electrical Engineer – Hydroelectric
Soni Endlich Leite, PY1NX
I was born and live in Rio de Janeiro. At 7 years old my father (PY1SL) taught me CW. The Amateur Radio regulations in Brazil only allow exams to people more than 10 years old so I had to wait. Finally I was old enough and received my first call sign PU1KDR. I started to operate exclusively on CW with locals. With the help of my best friend Alex, PY1KS, and then later PY2SEX (today also DL1NX), I’ve started to enter some DX and national contests. In 1998 I made my first CQ WPX CW and got second place in the world on SOSB 10 LP. At 13 years old, I made the exam for Extra Class and my call sign changed to PY1NX. Since very young, I had the opportunity to operate some great contest stations in Brazil like PQ2Q, ZW5B, ZX5J, PS2T, and PW7T. At these stations I learned a lot about contesting and multi-operator operation. Today my operations are mostly from my little station in my apartment, or from PR1T at my friend’s station, Felipe (PY1NB).
I did my graduation in Electrical Engineering and now I’m doing my masters in Electrical Energy Systems and working with hydropower.
In 2006 I attended the WRTC in Brazil as part of the team with Tom (PY2YU) and it was one of the best moments in my amateur radio life. I believe that when we are coming to participate in the biggest event of radio contest in the world, it is impossible not to be anxious whether you are a veteran or a novice.
Amateur radio has brought me great moments, friendships, great results in contesting, and I hope it lasts for years and years.