World class South European DX Hunter, seasoned DXpeditioner and licensed ham operator…this guy is the complete package!
Our Dx Adventure Radio Club (DA-RC) is proud to introduce to you 1DA003 Filippo, from the picturesque and wonderfully diverse Emilia-Romagna region of Northern Italy, who connects with the the famous Delta-Alfa callsign in October 2024.
On the eleven meter band, during a previous association with the Alfa Tango club and a hobby career spanning some 35 years, 1DA003 Filippo has confirmed an incredible 253 DXCC entities.
This easily qualifies him for DA-RC membership in the DX Hunter section — See www.delta-alfa.com/about/membership/ .
“I started out on 27.315 FM,” 1DA003 Filippo reveals, “and had a short break between 2006-2013…”
In addition to a huge tally of divisions worked, 1DA003 Filippo is also experienced in the area of DXpedition work…
Stunning DX Missions to The Togo Republic (164), Mozambique (204) and Cape Verde (205), in fact, headline a list of successful Freeband adventures in recent times.
DX Contesting (Both 11m and ham) (See above), portable work and CW are also listed as passions of this professional and skilled DX-Guy, inside the hobby of radio comms!
“I love international contests on 11 meters.. winning four editions…”
1DA003 Filippo resides in Forlì, a city situated on the Montone River and the Via Aemilia, southeast of Bologna, founded by the Romans in the II century bc.
These days, it’s a prosperous agricultural and industrial centre, with manufacturing primarily focused on silk, rayon, clothing, machinery, metals, and household appliances.
Forlì is also the location of various buildings of architectural, artistic and historical significance…
At the heart of 1DA003 Filippo’s city sits the Piazza Aurelio Saffi (Shown left), which includes a statue of Italian politician Aurelio Saffi.
The Piazza Saffi also includes the Abbey of San Mercuriale (named after Saint Mercurialis, a bishop of the city who died in the 5th century).
This is the main religious building in the city; and contains the famed Sepulchre of Barbara Manfredi.
Also of note is the Dominican Church of San Giacomo Apostolo (See below); better known as the Church of San Domenico—a late medieval church built in the 13th century in the southern part of the town.
Other medieval buildings include the Rocca di Ravaldino (See pictured right), a potential Castles and Fortress On The Air (COTA) construction, enlarged in the 14th century by the Ordelaffi and Gil de Albornoz, and later in the 15th century.
Forlì has parks located in green areas too.
These include the Parco della Resistenza (“Resistance Park”) city park, and the Parco di Via Dragoni.
1DA003 Filippo’s city is also immensely rich in culture.
The Museums San Domenico, housed in a medieval convent, feature art and sculpture exhibits.
Nearby, the Palazzo Romagnoli (See below) displays Italian art collections, which include works by Giuseppe Maria Alberto Giorgio de Chirico, an Italian artist and writer who founded the scuola metafisica art movement.
As you’d anticipate from a DX Hunter of this standing, 1DA003 Filippo has amassed a world class home station; one which is highly capable across the multitude of bands on which he operates.
A look on his shack benchtop sees several high end transceivers and dx-cessories.
“My home station is Yaesu FT-1000 field, Yaesu FT-450D and an Icom IC-275H”
“I also use a Kenwood TS-590sg with transverter for VHF ops as I enjoy contests in 144 Mhz…”
“For HF at home have a monobander 3 element yagi TELEX (HY-gain) for 21 Mhz…”
“For ten meters, I have a 3 element yagi of SmarTech and I use it also for 11 meters!”
An ICOM IC-7100—multimode HF/VHF/UHF amateur radio transceiver—is his choice of DX apparatus for portable work, in combination with a lightweight skypper antenna.
These are employed at favourite vantage points, roughly 1000m above sea level.
When he’s not behind the mic of one of his rigs, chasing DX on any one of the bands, 1DA003 Filippo is employed as a technical mechanical designer.
He works in a mechanical company in the packaging sector, and is concerned with the drafting of technical drawings and three-dimensional modelling.
For a change of pace though, 1DA003 Filippo enjoys collecting new and used stamps.
“I inherited this hobby from my grandfather but I don’t practice much anymore since he passed away and 11 years have passed…”
As well as a love of animals (pet dogs and cats), our newest Italian Big Gun also loves basketball, which he’s played since he was a kid.
As well as the occasional game, ripping out alley-oops, bank shots and bricks, (knees permitting!!!!!), he also referees in an amateur league.
Together, these hobbies are the perfect DX downtime, and ensures he maintains a healthy and relaxed lifestyle, enabling him to perform on the DX stage!
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