32DA005 Rodrigo, from the tricontinental Republic of Chile, is awarded membership with the Dx Adventure Radio Club (DA-RC) in September, 2021.

A resolute freeband and licensed ham radio operator, Rodrigo is regarded as one of the best DX exponents in his western South American DXCC.

Evidence suggests that 32DA005 Rodrigo has an extensive collection of DXCC/Divisions to his name over a career in the hobby spanning 25 years; a fact which enables membership via the DX Hunter Category (See https://www.delta-alfa.com/about/membership/).

According to Google Earth, 32DA005 Rodrigo’s country — Chile (32 Division) — is the southernmost country in the world, in fact the closest to Antarctica (140 Division).

It’s affectionately known by its inhabitants as the “pais de los poetas” or the “country of poets”.

Found on the west side of the Andes Mountains, this long, narrow country borders Peru (8) to the north, Bolivia (80) to the northeast, Argentina (4) to the east, and the Drake Passage (the body of water between SA’s Cape Horn, Argentina & the South Shetland Islands) in the far south.

Chile is also situated within the Pacific Ring of Fire — a region around much of the rim of the Pacific Ocean where many volcanic eruptions and earthquakes occur.

32DA005 Rodrigo’s home QTH is in the city of Talca (formerly San Agustín de Talca) which is the capital of the Maule Region.

The region derives its name from the 240km long Maule River which historically marked the southern limits of the Inca Empire.

Despite being destroyed by earthquake twice in its existence, Talca is said to be an important economic center, with extensive agricultural (wheat) and manufacturing activities.

There are also a number of famous landmarks that attract thousands of tourists each year…

Near the leafy Plaza de Armas main square, the O’Higginiano and Fine Arts Museum has art and historical exhibits.

Chile’s 1818 Declaration of Independence was signed in the colonial building and concerts and plays are staged nearby at the modern Maule Regional Theater.

The mountainous Altos de Lircay National Reserve lies southeast of 32DA005 Rodrigo’s city also.

In addition to housing one of South America’s most distinguished 11m DX Hunters, Talca is most famous, for its wines and a number of the largest vineyards in Chile are located here.

Not only is it home to the endangered Chilean Wine Palm, but Talca also produces 50% of all the country’s fine export wines.

Any world class DX Hunter deserves a world class station and 32DA005 Rodrigo has compiled just that.

“In my station, I have a Kenwood TS-480 100W model with built-in Antenna Tuner, an Icom IC-7300 with SDR and a Yaesu FT-891 HF+50Mhz all mode mobile transceiver.

“I have a 5 elements Optimized Wideband Antenna (OWA) and a Walmart multiband dipole,” he explains.

32DA005 Rodrigo is employed as an electronics electrician, a job which goes hand-in-hand with radio comms.

For leisure and relaxation, and to take his mind of the laborious tasks of life, Rodrigo enjoys watching football and recreational fishing with his family.

Located in the middle of the Andes Mountains and the river Maule, Maule lagoon is not only known for its icy waters, but it’s also famous for its excellent salmon and trout fishing.

32DA005 Rodrigo also enjoys travelling.

“Almost every year I’ve gone out with friends to do portable activations in the field and almost every year we travel to the south of Chile…”

Also on 32DA005 Rodrigo’s DX radar in the near future is an activation of the Juan Fernandez Archipelago group (286 Division) (SA-005). 

This is a sparsely inhabited island group in the South Pacific Ocean, situated 670 km off the coast of Chile; one which is regarded as one of the most attractive IOTA Dxstinations on the planet.

It’s this amazing sense of spirit that makes 32DA005 Rodrigo a valuable acquisition for our club indeed; one which will no doubt see his callsign at the forefront of dx adventure in the years to come.

QSL Infos

# Rodrigo, Vivo 7 Chile Region 28 South # 01166 TALCA Maule CHILE

# Contribution = $3US or 1 x IRC + SAE