The DA-RC’s presence in South America continues to flourish with the inclusion of veteran ham and eleven meter band DX enthusiast 32DA070 Guilhermo from the Republic of Chile.
This is a long narrow country which extends like a ribbon down the west coast of SA.
A professional and popular guy on and off the airwaves, Guilhermo unites with our Dx Adventure Radio Club in mid-October 2022, upon the arrival of solar cycle 25.
He satisfies strict membership requirements in the DX Hunter category with more than 100 DXCC worked and confirmed.
(See https://www.delta-alfa.com/about/membership/)
At the time of his inclusion with the DA-RC, 32DA070 Guilhermo has amassed 20 years participation in radio comms and some wonderful hobby experiences.
During this time, he’s nailed down ham radio qualification, established himself as one of Chile’s most ardent Freeband DX Hunters and built a network of close radio friendships.
Inside a spectacular country with more than 6000km of Pacific Ocean coastline, of exquisite National Parks, lonely desert, ice capped mountains, glistening waterfalls, and much more, 32DA070 Guilhermo’s home QTH is Viña del Mar.
Chile’s fourth largest city with a population of almost 325,000, Viña del Mar is a city and commune on central Chile’s Pacific coast.
Often referred to as La Ciudad Jardín (“The Garden City”), Viña del Mar is located within the Valparaíso Region, roughly half way down the Pacific coastline.
According to 32DA070 Guilhermo, “Visitors and locals also enjoy the parks and water fountains of the city, including a large flower clock (Reloj de Flores) with its numbers made up of flowering plants, near Caleta Abarca beach…”
Seen pictured above, Mar’s long stretches of white sandy beaches are also a major attraction for national and international tourists.
Other attractions are the Valparaiso Sporting Club horse racing track (Pictured left), the Jardín Botánico or Parque del Salitre, a large botanical garden on the outskirts of the city, Palacio Presidencial (Presidential Palace), the Fonck Museum.
Two magnificent Castles On The Air (COTA) opportunities exist in Brunet Castle and Castillo Wulff and these may well pop up on 32DA070 Guilhermo’s dx adventure radar in the future.
Palacio Brunet (also known as “Castillo Yarur”) was built in 1923 by Adolfo Brunet on Cerro Castillo, close to the presidential mansion.
Built in 1906 for the Wulff family, Wulff Castle is a historic castle overlooking the sea and the current headquarters of the city heritage center.
A further drawcard to 32DA070 Guilhermo’s city is the Viña del Mar International Film Festival which is considered among the most important film festivals in Latin America.
The Viña del Mar International Song Festival, too, is held at the amphitheater located in the Quinta Vergara, one of the largest green areas of the city.
32DA070 Guilhermo uses a Kenwood TS480 SAT transceiver.
This is a classic 100 watts HF & 6m allmode portable and mobile transceiver with a built-in antenna tuner.
He combines his favourite hobby, with work as a truck driver, using a HUSTLER RM-11 antenna to work DX on long hauls.
On the road, he monitors the international call frequency, 27.555 MHz USB, where his CQ calls are regular heard.
Welcome Guilhermo in DA-RC, best 73 from Stéphane 14DA010
Welcome Guilhermo ! Best 73s Nicolas 14DA026