On May 1, 2024, The DA-RC’s already imposing French Team copped a spectacular boost with the signing of tremendous new member 14DA019 Chris from Faux-Fresnay.

A world class DX Hunter with a red-hot DXCC score which totals 296 entities, Chris is not only determined to nail down the illusive 300 mark in the next couple of years; but also contribute to our club’s ambitions around dx adventure through the continuation of solar cycle 25!

From his home in western Europe, history reveals that 14DA019 Chris has been absorbed in the magnificent hobby of radio comms since 1994.

During this time, he’s become one of the mostly highly respected guys in the 11m DX Community through his previous efforts with the Delta-Xray Radio Club and carved out a reputation as being a professional and friendly guy.

As well as a healthy total of DXCC recorded, Chris has also been successful in several Freeband DX events such as the World Islands Festival and Field Days, sharing the top of the rankings several occasions through much dedication.

Located in the north east part of the country, the village of Faux-Fresnay—snuggled within in the French department of Marne—is 14DA019 Chris’ home town.

Found in the Grand Est region of France, this picturesque department (51) is named after the mighty river Marne—an eastern tributary of the Seine and some 500km in length—which flows through it.

Surrounded by the departments of Ardennes, Meuse, Haute-Marne, Aube, Seine-et-Marne, and Aisne, 14DA019 Chris’ QTH is famous for its champagne vineyards which produce sparkling wines.

Supposedly, it also homes several military training camps, as well as picturesque lakes—teeming with fish—and history rich cathedrals boasting stunning architecture.

According to the World Atlas, Faux-Fresnay is located in the township of Fère-Champenoise, which is part of the vibrant district of Épernay.

In addition to its luscious vineyards which are steeped in sophisticated champaign culture, a popular landmark here is the Church of Saint-Pierre-Saint-Paul, shown above.

It should come as no surprise to anyone in the Freeband DX Community that 14DA019 Chris has amassed a station capable of accessing any and all fragments of the globe.

An IC-756 PRO III by Icom—supplemented by a Heil Gold line elite microphone—is his current choice of DX hardware and the centerpiece of an impeccable home DX shack.

Additionally, a W2IHY 8-Band EQ/Noise Gate provides an extra edge in contest and dx work, creating pileup-penetrating audio with substantial high frequency content.

Outside his house is a high performing Sigma Mantova 8 vertical, atop a 6-element home-made yagi.

Together, aloft a 13m home-made pylon, these antennas provide excellent omnidirectional and directional performance, depending on the application.

Toss in a HF-62 Solid State Linear Amplifier for extra oomph and Chris’ home station is complete.

When he’s not by the radio, mic in hand, rag-chewing with mates or chasing rare DX across 27 MHz frequencies, 14DA019 Chris is employed as a Maintenance Technician.

“I love the garden,” he reveals. “Here I have a large space of land to live with nature…”

A proud father of 3 children, 2 girls and a boy, and a doting grandfather with 2 grandsons, 14DA019 Chris claims a passion for Islands On The Air (IOTA) DX work, as well as Summits (SOTA) / Castles (COTA) and Mills ops and spends weekends out and about, travelling the countryside, visiting potential DXstinations in the local vicinity.

“I’ve always had a great passion for certain challenges, the hunt for the IOTA IWI islands fascinates me, my major annual events are the World Island Festival and the Field Day but others also SOTA, etc…”

The DA-RC’s newest French DX guru—14DA019 Chris—is also an avid collector of QSL cards and can be contacted via the coordinates below to confirm any contact with his station!

QSL INFOS

32 rue des Fresnes 51230 Faux-Fresnay FRANCE