*MEET* 158DA711 Terry

– March 15, 2021Posted in: Meet the Members

In the vibrant South American nation of Trinidad & Tobago lives admired Dx Adventure Radio Club (DA-RC) member and competent Freeband DX devotee, 158DA711 Terry.

158DA711 Terry is an experienced guy whom has notched more than 100 DXCC to his name.

He has been involved in in the hobby for 37 years.

According to the atlas, Trinidad & Tobago (158 Division) is a vibrant archipelagic republic in the southern Caribbean region between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean.

It consists of 2 main islands — Trinidad (SA-011) and Tobago (SA-009).

158DA711 Terry resides on the latter one, some 35 km northeast of the larger island of Trinidad and roughly 160 clicks off the northeastern coast of Venezuela (5 Division).

His home QTH is Moriah, about 109 km north-east of Port of Spain, the country’s capital city.

Here, unspoilt traditions, untouched natural beauty and undiscovered gems merge to create the idyllic Caribbean escape.

In addition to satisfying DA-RC Membership requisites in the DX Hunter category (See: https://www.delta-alfa.com/about/membership/), 158DA711 Terry intends to challenge himself with some Islands On The Air (IOTA) DX work in the near future.

On this, Tobago (Aloubaéra) shares the IOTA reference SA-009, one that was allocated by the Radio Society of Great Britain, with a number of smaller satellite islands which are on his radar.

Saint Giles Island, for example, is the largest in a group of small entities off the northeast tip of Tobago that are exciting dxstinations indeed.

A recognised bird sanctuary, this island is the northernmost point of the DXCC.

According to the World IOTA Program website, there are 2 other islands qualifying for SA-009.

Little Tobago (also known as Bird of Paradise Island) is a small island off the northeastern coast.

It’s an important breeding site for seabirds as well, such as red-billed tropicbird, Audubon’s shearwater, brown booby, brown noddy, sooty and bridled terns and white-tailed tropicbirds.

The other is Richmond Island which is situated east of Glamorgan, close to FishMarket.

According to all reliable 11m databases these diminutive IOTA entities have never before been active on the 11m band.

As a country, Trinidad & Tobago is said to be the most industrialized and one of the most prosperous in the Caribbean.

It’s well known for its African and Indian cultures, reflected in its large and famous Carnival, Diwali, and Hosay celebrations, as well being the birthplace of steelpan, the limbo, and music styles such as calypso, soca, rapso, parang, chutney, and chutney soca.

One of Terry’s favourite past times, in fact, is listening to music.

Another is motor sport.

Not surprisingly, the sea plays a big part in 158DA711 Terry’s life with fishing being one of his favourite distractions.

The waters around the island are home to many species of tropical fish, rays and sharks.

The presence of a number of shipwrecks off the coast too, such as the Maverick Ferry, provide an abundance of marine life.

In the world of radio comms, however, 158DA711 Terry’s station is an impressive one indeed.

In the radio shack, a Cobra 148 GTL, two Ranger RCI 2970’s, an RCI 2950 and a CRE-8900 give him plenty of variety to choose from.

Outside his island residence is somewhat of an antenna farm, guaranteeing a big signal into all DX markets.

Home-made 1, 3 and 4 element delta-loop antennas, as well as a Super Penetrator SP-500 vertical, sit atop separate towers around his property.

In the Tobago community, Terry is employed as an Auto Technician.

He diagnoses customer vehicles for problems by test driving and using diagnostic tools on the vehicle electronics.

In addition to possible Islands On The Air (IOTA) dx work in the future, the presence of King George Fort makes for a breathtaking Castles & Fortresses On The Air (COTA) dx adventure.

Built by the British in the 1770s and named in honour of King George III, who ruled from 1760 to 1820, this fortification stands as a resilient monument of Tobago’s turbulent military past.

The cannons overlooking the coast are a testament to an era when many battle were waged over Tobago.

But for many it’s the spectacular vistas that the fort’s high perch over Scarborough affords that makes this a must see dxstination.

The DA-RC’s first ever Tobagonian member, 158DA711 Terry, is QRV on the international call frequency which is 27.555 MHz USB.

He’s always keen for a QSO and eager to exchange QSL cards through his QSL Manager.

QSL INFOS

Via DA-RC HQ Oceania, PO Box 3140, Browns Plains LPO, QLD, Australia, 4118