*DXPEDITION REPORT* 14DA/MA016, Île-Grande

When it comes to the execution of Islands DX work, 14DA028 Phil is second to none.

Here’s a brief summary of his Des Iles de La France Metropolitaine (D.I.F.M.) dx adventure from Île-Grande in the Brittany, Manche Region, of western France, in early October, 2025.

It accompanies a series of proofs also—provided to DA-RC HQ at the conclusion of the activity—which validates his work.



DAY 1: Saturday October 5

I find myself—in the early hours of the morning—on Île-Grande which is connected to the mainland by a small stone bridge, surrounded by coastal landscapes with intense colors, as well as white sand beaches and the incredible Neolithic dolmen.

Tuned in to the international call frequency—27.555 MHz USB—I start the 14DA/MA016 activity at 9:03 a.m. local time.

Fellow DA-RC Member Chris 14DA019 is logged at 5/6 from his home in Faux-Fresnay in the north-east part of the country.

He’s followed by Gérald 14LR054 from the Lima Radio club at 5/7 and a whole host of other eager Island Chasers across the globe.

This has the Yeasu FT-857 (100w) transciever working overtime!



Just before lunch time, I end the first day on this magnificent little island with 172AT124 Christian in the South Pacific country of New Caledonia, logged at 5/7.

After 71 QSOs on Île-Grande, it’s time to pack up the 1 element Delta Loop antenna, Battery LifePo4 100Ah and Yaesu rig and go to Île Milliau for 14DA/MA082.



DAY 2: Sunday, October 6

It’s 9:20 a.m. local time when I’m QRV once more from the flower-covered Île-Grande, in the commune of Pleumeur-Bodou (department of Côtes-d’Armor), for 14DA/MA016.

My portable station is once more set up by the sea with an amazing view of surrounding seascapes.

After some CQ calls, I hear Rodolphe 14AT214 in the headphones with a report of 5/1.

Rodolphe is followed in the log by Bruno 14HF002 running a portable station, and then by Carmelo 1DA086 on Sicily Island at 5/8.

From his home in the Mediterranean Sea, Big Gun DX Man Carmelo is the first of several DA members in the log on this day which is another very successful affair.

The IOTA comes to close on this last day with 109HA465 Mr Csaba from the central EU country of Hungary at 5/9 and a total of 114 QSOs, 18 DXCC and 21 DA Members in the log.



In conclusion, I’m very happy to have been able to activate Île-Grande—last done in October 2016 with Team DA (14DA014 Eric, 14DA028 Phil, 14DA049 Fred & 14ATS049 Anto)—and spend some nice time outdoors in this very beautiful part of France.

A big thank you to everyone for coming to log in to this activation.

See you very soon.

73 de Phil, 14DA028



LOG DATA

* DXCC Worked: 18 [109, 13, 14, 161, 16, 172, 19, 1, 21, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 34, 45, 47 & 56].

* DA Members Worked: 21 [14DA019, 14DA049, 14DA496, 14DA021, 30DA010, 14DA069, 14DA017, 14DA027, 34DA183, 14DA001, 26DA283, 14DA020, 14DA078, 14DA070, 14DA044, 14DA014, 1DA007, 161DA005, 161DA015 & 45DA101].

* Farthest QSOs: 172AT124 Christian (New Caledonia) & 2AT715 Paul (USA)