In mid-September 2023, we celebrate the new membership of big gun DX Hunter and 11m DX Community star 14DA181 Marc.

Pictured below, Marc resides in the République Française in western Europe.

As well as a mega-population of ham and 11m DXers, this remarkable DXCC entity is home to vibrant cities such as Paris, Marseille and Lyon.

In addition to its architectural brilliance—evident through constructions such as the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe and The Louvre Museum—France is famous for its stunning natural landscapes.

These include the Alps—where Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in the country—is found, the Pyrenees—which border Spain and Andorra—and the Massif Central.

World class cuisine and a vibrant culture are also prominent features of Marc’s incredible country.

As well as being a licensed ham, 14DA181 Marc is recognised as a proficient 11m operator by his peers, a guy with 33 years’ experience at the highest level of international DX.

In fact, from his home QTH, a couple of hundred kilometers from the Bay of Biscay, Marc has notched an incredible 292 DXCC entities.

This attention-grabbing feat has been achieved through previous involvement with the International Radio (IR) and Delta-Xray (DX) radio clubs respectively.

The DA-RC Membership Directory will confirm that 14DA181 Marc resides in La Saunière, a scenic French commune located in the Creuse department in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region.

This is known to be France’s leading agricultural region; a place where organic farms, as well as Bordeaux wines, Cognac, Espelette peppers, Chabichou du Poitou goat cheese and Limousin Beef is produced.

Interesting historical places here include the Church of the Nativity of the Most Holy Virgin which dates from the 12th century and the incredible fifteenth-century Château du Théret (Pictured below).

As you’d expect from one of the world’s finest DX Hunters, 14DA181 Marc has established a superb home station to deliver the very best results on the eleven meter band.

Twin ICOM transceivers—the IC-746 and IC-706 MK2G—combined with a 500 watt amplifier and a 4 element long-boom yagi, conspire to wreak havoc on Freeband DX and snare any rare station that appears on the band.

Away from radio communications and 14DA181 Marc keeps fit through kick boxing and muay thai.

This is a brutal combat sport that utilizes different parts of the body (fists, elbows, knees and shins) to inflict pain on other fighters.

Shown above and below, 14DA181 Marc also loves motorbike riding and owns several bikes for different terrains.

The tranquility of nature appeals to his softer side though and 14DA181 Marc often takes to local waterways on a boat, with a fishing rod and friends to relax in the sun.

For employment, 14DA181 Marc works as a nursing assistant in one of France’s hospitals.

It’s a reflection of his care for others and innate desire to do the best by his fellow man that inspires his work.

A renowned Thalassophile (lover of the sea), 14DA181 Marc is a fanatical Island chaser; a guy who’s passion for IOTA and IWI drives his day-to-day experiences in radio comms.

Of course, he’s always available for a QSO though and can be worked from the international call frequency, 27.555 MHz USB, when propagation permits.

QSL INFOS

31Ter Le Méry 23000 La Saunière, France