235DA/DX took place in April, 2024, from the ITU HQ in Geneva, a tiny DXCC entity landlocked by Switzerland and surrounded by snow-capped peaks in west-central Europe.
This complex dxpedition project was performed by 14DA018 Nick and 14DA001 Stef from the Dx Adventure Radio Club (DA-RC) who, again, delivered a professional and committed operation.
Such is the dedication of both men, that they’ve both provided detailed DXpedition Reports to the HQ Team, along with an extensive catalogue of proofs—some we’re pleased to be able to include in their reports.
73 de DA-RC HQ Team
DXPEDITION REPORT by 14DA018 Nick
Approaching the peak of solar cycle 25, the idea of activating the ITU HQ in Geneva for a second DA/DX activity started at the end of 2023.
After several discussions with Stef 14DA001, we came up with a plan precisely crafted to contact all Europeans too far to work the ITU via groundwave, yet too close for Sporadic E contacts.
Importantly, we wanted also to set-up a portable station effective enough to reach all continents, and, to give the opportunity to their operators to work this very rare DXCC.
First, it was necessary to study the ‘Land Registry of Geneva’ to identify the best place in the ITU property to set up an effective station; and one to fit our high expectations.
The second step was to determine the right schedule for both operators; one which would match the best time of the year to reach all continents inside the very small window of time we would be granted by ITU Security Personnel.
In some respects, the month of March would perhaps have been better suited for long distance contacts, however, this would have left us with too much uncertainty concerning WX conditions.
Alternatively, May would certainly have seen the return of some Sporadic E propagation but drawback for this time would have been a significant decrease of long distance conditions in day light hours.
Based on our plan, and propagation forecasts made through programs such as VOACAP 11, my personal expectation was to exceed 500 QSOs.
Unluckily, we fell short of this target when some unexpected challenges intervened.
Despite the significant losses due to all the surrounding buildings and the unexpected high man-made-noise on the 11m band which unfortunately covered the bulk of backscatter signals, I’m quite satisfied that we were able to reach 250 QSOs.
To contact all continents and even some French departments previously impossible to work via Sporadic E, was a satisfying result indeed for our dxpedition team!
Interestingly, our max QRB was 25000kms and this was accomplished via Long Path (LP) with fellow DA-RC Member 338DA101 Jean-Marie in the Pacific.
Despite these achievements, I still feel sorry for all those guys who were able to hear us but got no response back.
Again, this was due largely to the high noise floor of the operating environment which was out of our control.
As 235 Division is still a new one for me, I’m looking forward to hearing a new team, no matter from which group, activating the ITU.
Congratulations to everyone who made the log for 235DA/DX and thank you to everyone for their kind support and encouragement.
73 de 14DA018 Nick
DXPEDITION REPORT by 14DA001 Stef
After the success of the 235DA/0, the idea and desire to return to the ITU HQ in Geneva remained…
2 years later, we set off on Saturday, April 13, at around 5:15 am local time (a little behind schedule), arriving at the ITU at around 7:30 a.m. local time.
The contact who got us the first authorization to set up in the 235 division helped us again on this last DXpedition, and we’d like to thank him in passing.
After passing through ITU security, we set up in the small private park at the foot of the ITU headquarters tower.
This time, the station — battery-powered using a 12v/220v 1000w converter — was a little more optimal to enable us to contact DXCC for whom this entity is complicated to confirm.
The portable station consisted of a new Yaesu FT-891 transceiver, a Heil Proset headset set in VOX mode, a 200 watt RM Italy KL-503 amplifier, all installed on a 130 Amp slow-discharge battery.
In the air was a Skypper antenna made by our friend 161AT080 Jarek installed on a 12m Spiderbeam fiberglass mast.
On the same little table (which has accompanied me on all my portable outings for the past few years) we set up the 2 PCs that would enable us to be QRV on the internet.
This would enable is to use the famous and important “Live Logger” — a magnificent piece of software designed and developed by the French Team — and monitor the clusters to fine-tune the antenna’s directivities according to the different propagation apertures
It was also important to be in contact with the DA-RC HQ so as to provide real-time evidence.
During the installation, our friend 15AT105 Greg (Seen pictured above) joined us on site, after inviting him.
We were grateful for his assistance in finalizing the set-up.
Adrenalin pumping, we started the 235DA/DX activation from our position overlooking the Place des Nations in the Heart of Geneva’s United Nations district, with a “CQ, CQ, DX” on T5, and QSY to 27.680 MHz USB.
At 7:05 UTC, the first station ITL was 25SD019 Katsu from Japan in the northwest Pacific Ocean.
We were excited when he was followed by fellow Delta-Alfa member 338DA101 Jean-Marie in the Marquesas Islands via the LP.
This turned out to be the farthest station worked at 25000 km!
Despite all our good will and equipment, conditions on 11m were not the best and it was a challenge to RX low signals.
Furthermore, constant band noise increased by the QRM as a function of different azimuths, resulted in great difficulty listening to the pile-ups.
The end result was 254 ITL stations from 41 divisions, a fair result given the small timeslot presented to us by the ITU Security Personnel.
Congratulations to everyone who made the log, especially to the 29 DA members registered!
Thank you all for your loyalty and perseverance, and our apologies to the operators who missed the log on this occasion.
73 de 14DA001 Stef
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