The Dx Adventure Radio Club (DA-RC) is thrilled to release details of an upcoming Islands On The Air activation of Isola delle Palme by Sicilian DX Man 1DA086 Carmelo.
In April, 2024, 1DA/S-029 will be QRV for several weekends on the shores of Augusta Bay, wetting the appetite of serious Island Chasers in the international Freeband Community.
Referenced as S-029 in accordance with the I.I.A, Isola delle Palme is an Italian island in the Ionian Sea, a stone’s throw from the larger island of Sicily (EU-025).
This dxstination constitutes the historic center of the Italian municipality of Augusta, in the province of Syracuse.
The second most inhabited island in the Sicilian Region (second only to the main island ), Isola delle Palme is reported to have been named because it was enriched with many palm trees, still visible today in the area of the public gardens.
Reportedly, it’s also one of the islands with the highest population density in the entire Mediterranean, with approximately 24,570 inhabitants/km².
The Isola delle Palme was created by cutting the isthmus which connected it to the main island to protect it from the continuous Ottoman invasions, towards the middle of the 16th century.
The village of Augusta Veneranda—founded in 1232 by Frederick II of Swabia—was fortified, and the Garcia, Avalos and Vittoria forts were built.
1DA086 Carmelo confirms that the island is accessed via two bridges, one dating back to the Spanish domination, delimited by an arch called the ‘Spanish Door’ and a recently built one dedicated to Frederick II.
The Isola delle Palme still retains its defensive systems, some baroque churches and various Art Nouveau buildings and these will feature on the special QSL card designed by 14DA001 Stef.
Please check out all the information on 1DA/S-029, pertaining to this dx adventure, on our club’s website under the heading DXPEDITION LIST.
You can find out about the QSLM, relevant links, the operating grid square, and more, as well as others by members of the DA-RC, in the right hand side menu under ‘DXpedition List’.
Here, you can also follow the fantastic new ‘Live Log’ innovation to check the status of your contact, as well as which stations are being heard from this fascinating island.
Good luck to all!
73 de DA-RC HQ Team
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