13AT715 Pete: From Grand DX Peditions to the Heart of Saarland 🇩🇪🗼
The world of DX and the World Beauties Award (WBA) welcomes back an exceptional protagonist: Pete, 13AT715. While his callsign evokes memories of massive pile-ups and transoceanic adventures, his recent story tells of a passion that fears neither time nor logistical challenges.
A Journey Through History and Propagation 🌍📜
Pete is not just a “Hunter”; he is a veteran who lived through the golden age of the 11-meter band. Starting his activity in the early ’80s, Pete quickly moved from local calls to building antennas and managing legendary pile-ups. Many remember him for his spectacular DX expeditions, such as 40AT/0 (1989), 13AT/EU042 (1997), and the unforgettable 261AT/0 from Chatham Island in 2000. 🏝️📡
After a forced break for health reasons in 2012, the call of the radio waves returned in 2022, leading him to embrace the radio once again with new awareness and his usual, impeccable operating style.
The QTH: Saarland and the “Backscatter” Challenges 🥨🏢
Pete resides in the Federal State Saarland.
Famous for his ability to operate with a self-made dipole placed inside his home, Pete daily challenges the laws of propagation. From his location (JN39), contacts with WBA activations (especially those from Sardinia by Alex 165DA101) often occur via backscatter. This requires a rare virtue: patience. Pete doesn’t shout into the crowd; he waits for the exact moment when the signal is right, proving that 100W and a well-managed dipole are worth more than a directional antenna used without strategy. 🎯💡
A Relentless WBA Hunter 🏰🗺️
For Pete, every WBA activation is an opportunity for cultural enrichment. His routine is now well-established: after logging the reference with his unmistakable politeness, he dedicates himself to studying the history and geography of the linked site. Whether it is a Nuraghe or a historic villa, Pete doesn’t stop at the radio contact—he delves into its soul. 📚🏛️
His list of linked references continues to grow steadily, witnessing a fixed and reliable presence in the circuit.
Conclusion 🌟
Pete, 13AT715, represents the very essence of a radio operator: technician, scholar, traveler, and, above all, a friend. His voice from Saarland is a bridge between the glorious past of great expeditions and the dynamic present of the World Beauties Award.
Thank you, Pete, for your friendship and for the example of style you bring on-air with every call. We look forward to seeing you in the next pile-up, always at the right moment! 🎙️💙
73’s and over… over! 🐧
SIBA/WBA Team
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