From the ‘Pearl of the Orient Seas’, 79DA180 Patrick connects with the Dx Adventure Radio Club (DA-RC) in May 2020, hoping to capitalize on improved propagation on the Freeband with Cycle 25 and involvement with a professional radio club like ours.
A proficient 27 MHz operator, keen DX Hunter and 30 year member of the local 24Xray Club, 79DA180 Patrick resides on the island of Luzon, the largest and most populous chunk of land in the Philippines archipelago.
Luzon is also home to some of south-east Asia’s most decorated Freeband DX Hunters.
Referenced as OC-042 by the IOTA World Program, the world’s 15th largest island is bordered on the west by the South China Sea, on the east by the Philippine Sea, and on the north by the Luzon Strait containing the Babuyan Channel and Balintang Channel.
Luzon is roughly rectangular in shape and has the long Bicol Peninsula protruding to the southeast.
On the western edge of the island, 79DA180 Patrick’s home QTH is Quezon, some 1300 km from mainland Asia.
Quezon is the largest city in terms of population and land area in Metro Manila.
As you might imagine, there are many popular landmarks and tourist destinations in and around the city for the local or tourist.
With a beautiful zoological and botanical garden, as well as a man-made lagoon for boating, the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Centre (See pictured left and below), for example, is regarded as a true sanctuary in the city.
The La Mesa Eco Park, too, is a 5-hectare oasis with walkways and water pools.
There’s some beautiful old churches in this area as well.
Some are hundreds of years old, with incredible tributary statues, like the Santo Domingo Church pictured right.
The Tomas Morato and Timog Avenue Tourist Belt area is said to be a great spot too for restaurants, night clubs and shopping.
One of 79DA180 Patrick’s region’s greatest natural resources is said to be the protected harbor upon which is thought to be the finest in all of Asia.
Here’s where you’ll find the Port of Manila, regarded in the ham radio world as the perfect launchpad for Islands On The Air (IOTA) Dxpedition travel to rare offshore DXstinations.
There’s definitely an abundance of those!
Islands such as Corregidor, Caballo (OC-244) and further off-shore, Cabra, Lubang and Ambil (OC-126) are just a few of the exciting IOTA opportunities within reach of 79DA180 Patrick and his fellow DA-RC friends in this part of the Philippines.
For Castles On The Air (COTA) enthusiasts, Fort Santiago in the walled city of Intramuros – is another possible Dxstination for our newest 79 Division team member in the future.
In fact, to complete the country’s first ever COTA activation would be an exciting proposition indeed!
Built in 1593 and located at the mouth of the Pasig River, Fort Santiago served as the premier defence fortress of the Spanish Government during their rule of the country.
History says it became a main fort for the spice trade to the Americas and Europe for 333 years.
79DA180 Patrick’s station is geared for ops on 27 MHz frequencies.
“I’m a long time user of citizens band (CB) radios,” he explains.
“I have a classic President Grant transceiver, powered by a 15 amp power supply and various accesories.”
“I also own 2 VHF radios for local ragchew…”
Not only is 79DA180 Patrick a proficient radio operator but he’s also a skilled ‘Do It Yourself’ (DIY) antenna buff, making his own antennas and providing sound advice to others around antenna hardware, designs and theory.
“I use a 1/2 wave end-fed vertical and a 1/2 wave horizontal w/gamma match,” he explains.
“Both are for the 11 meter band and both are DIY projects.
When he’s not constructing antennas or behind the mic of his radio, 79DA180 Patrick is employed by the Philippine Government in the area of Information Technology.
In fact, he’s a self-described “IT Geek!”
Outdoors in his island’s stifling tropical monsoon WX, 79DA180 Patrick likes to go fishing using rods and reels and all reports are that the nearby Pasig River is famous for its giant-sized catfish.
Known locally as “Hito”, catfish weighing more than 10 kilograms have been caught by the local fisherfolks.
Patrick also has a love of old cars.
He’s currently restoring a classic 80s model Japanese car.
The most popular frequency for 79 Division operators is 27.205 MHz USB and it’s always a hive of activity.
Here you’ll find 79DA180 Patrick , along with a host of other stations on isles scattered across the China Sea.
79DA180 Patrick is also QRV on the international call frequency 27.555 MHz USB, chasing contacts with other DA-RC Members across the globe and other serious IOTA Hunters.
He looks forward to meeting you on the band in the future!
QSL INFORMATION
12b Sacred Heart St. Paradise Village
Barangay, Sangandaan, Project 8
Quezon City, 1116, MM, Philippines
Very nice bro from 3DA013 Tulio welcome.